Improved post-harvest market access treatments in horticultural commodities (3097)

Abstract

The disruption to trade caused by quarantine pests and diseases is a significant issue for Australian and New Zealand (NZ) horticulture. There is an urgent need to review and improve the current disinfestation methods to develop new export protocols that are effective, economic and safe to use. The project team consisting of researchers from across Australia and NZ has reviewed all the published and unpublished phytosanitary research conducted against these pests. The draft review document is almost complete and the team is currently preparing recommendations for future research priorities. Information has also been collated on the pests of quarantine importance, the current phytosanitary requirements, Market Access protocols currently available, economic and physical aspects of the NZ and Australian fresh fruit and vegetable industries, and quarantine security statistics. The review will be presented at workshops with stakeholders in Brisbane and Auckland in September to develop research priorities for developing new disinfestation protocols for fruit and vegetables. The second phase of the process will then investigate selected endpoint combination treatments most likely to deliver the required efficacy, while maintaining product quality. The ultimate aim is to develop new effective postharvest disinfestation protocols targeting both internal pests (e.g. fruit flies and codling moth) and surface pests (e.g. mealybugs and mites) to safeguard international trade for Australian and NZ horticulture.