INTER-state trade of vegetables and fruit is set to be improved by $9.5 million of funding being put into pest and disease risk management measures.
The CSIRO will lead a four-year project to deliver easier cross-border trade.
Australia's state and territories have differing phytosanitary, or pest and disease management, requirements for inter-state trade.
Hort Innovation is backing the project in partnership with all Australian states and territory governments.
They will also work closely with Australia's domestic biosecurity regulators to strengthen science-backed approaches to managing phytosanitary risks.
Researchers will develop and refine a fit-for-purpose "toolkit" that can be used to improve state-level decision-making about biosecurity risks and how these are best managed.
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The toolkit will provide Australian growers and exporters who are already effectively managing their production chains to minimise pests and diseases, a way to demonstrate that their fruit, vegetables and nuts present a low biosecurity risk.
CSIRO project lead Dr Rieks van Klinken said strong scientific tools will help Australia's horticulture sector by underpinning new and existing market access opportunities and supporting the robust biosecurity system.
"Our researchers are improving the tools available to industry to streamline phytosanitary risk management by demonstrating and quantifying the contribution of commercial supply chain and production practices to risk reduction," Dr van Klinken said.
"The tools will make it easier for biosecurity regulators to incorporate commercial practices into biosecurity system processes and ultimately will enable industry to deliver high-quality, low pest-risk consignments into treatment facilities or directly into domestic and international markets."
Australian Fresh Produce Alliance chief executive officer Claire McClelland said trade and market access were key priorities for the horticulture sector.
"Improving pest management and developing risk-based approaches will support domestic and international trade, which is essential for the future growth of the sector," Ms McClelland said.
"Harmonised interstate trade regulations will improve the commercial operating environment for all fresh produce growers and suppliers."
Apple and Pear Australia Limited chief executive officer Phil Turnbull said the program would enable industry to better understand and measure the impacts of in-field pest management and packhouse practices to manage phytosanitary risks in apple exports.
"Together with the CSIRO, the Australian apple industry will invest in world-leading science that will create export pathways not currently available to Australian growers," Mr Turnbull said.
While focussed on the domestic market, it's anticipated the project will have positive international impacts as well.
The tools will also underpin analyses to support international market access negotiations.
Hort Innovation chief executive officer Brett Fifield said the program will demonstrate to international trading partners Australia's commitment to, and confidence in our biosecurity system.
"Domestic and international trade is essential to the horticulture industry," he said.
"By working with some of the country's top scientists, the process for reaching market access agreements will be made easier.
"Improved risk science tools can support biosecurity measures that may be more cost effective and less time prohibitive for growers without compromising our already great reputation for delivering quality, safe produce."
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