PBRI workshop identifies RD&E opportunities to better prepare Australia against a Xylella incursion
Horticulture, wine industry, researchers and government representatives from Australia and New Zealand gathered in the vibrant growing region of Mildura on September 18, 2025 to collaborate on a crucial planning exercise for Xylella fastidiosa.
A plant bacteria with more than 700 native, commercial and ornamental plant host species, Xylella is identified as Australia and New Zealand’s number one plant biosecurity threat. With no known cure, the best protection for both countries to continue remaining free of the disease, is prevention.
A total of 91 projects has been funded across Australia to address priorities of the four action areas of the National Xylella Action Plan 2019–2029 – Prevention, Detection, Response and Cross-Cutting activities. This workshop sought to identify research, development and extension (RD&E) gaps and opportunities to improve Australia’s preparedness for a Xylella incursion.
There was an exchange of international insights, New Zealand Winegrowers’ Biosecurity & Emergency Response Manager, Sophie Badland and Plant & Food Research’s Business Manager – Biosecurity, Mark Bullians, shared an overview of New Zealand’s Xylella Strategy 2022- 2027 and RD&E initiatives in progress focusing on risk and risk management pathways, detection, readiness and response.
Spain’s Dr. Juan Antonio Navas-Cortes, Research Scientist BeXyl (Beyond Xylella) at Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), delivered an update on the current impact of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe; the surveillance activities, molecular diagnostic protocols, risk modelling and remote sensing systems in place; and highlighted the mitigating the impact of Xylella in Europe.
Workshop participants were presented with a fictional Xylella incursion which included the detection of the insect vector of the disease, the meadow spittlebug. The aim was to highlight the key challenges likely in an Australian response to Xylella and to identify potential RD&E solutions which would support our affected industries
During the scenario, industry and government representatives formed a mock (pre) Consultative Committee for Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP), examining the potential implications of the Xylella and spittlebug detection and the immediate steps required to minimise their spread.
To strengthen Australia’s preparedness for a Xylella incursion, workshop participants worked throughout the day to identify key RD&E priority focus areas, with the top three including:
- A national coordinated (cross-industry) early detection program
- A national Xylella Response Strategy
- Understanding the risks of native vectors and hosts.
A clear cross-industry and government communication strategy was also identified as being critical in the event of an incursion. A detailed report of the workshop outcomes including all future RD&E focus areas will be distributed to all participants in the coming weeks.
Our thanks to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Hort Innovation; and Wine Australia for supporting this proactive event which emphasised the need to pressure test our response strategy to better position Australia against Xylella fastidiosa and exotic vectors.
