KVH took part in the Better Border Biosecurity (B3) conference last week in Wellington, which was centred around some big challenges facing plant border biosecurity including climate change, social license, emerging technologies, and targeted investment.

The conference was well attended, and included presentations from science, government, industry, and public communities. B3 collaborates strongly with Trans-Tasman counterparts, so it was a great opportunity (with travel restrictions now eased) for Australian researchers to attend and present in person - a nice change from the usual virtual interaction.

Keynote speaker Dame Juliet Gerrard, the Prime Ministers Chief Science Advisor, opened day one with a talk about New Zealand’s response to COVID-19. She drew some great parallels between a human pandemic biosecurity response and a plant biosecurity response.

There was then an update on research underway in Australia for key biosecurity threats we share, such as Xylella fastidiosa and one of the kiwifruit industry’s most unwanted, the Queensland Fruit Fly.

Day two featured presentations from Biosecurity New Zealand and Te Tira Whakamataki (the Maori Biosecurity Network) before the social aspect of biosecurity was delved into using port and community research findings from the Port of Tauranga Biosecurity Excellence programme – of which KVH is an active partner - as a case study.

The conference ended with a focus on “One Biosecurity”- the concept of a unified biosecurity system where animal, marine, and plant health work together to prevent and mitigate the impacts of biosecurity threats that ultimately impact us all in various ways. A fitting theme for KVH staff who just a few days earlier took part in a Tauranga Moana response exercise to improve networks and skills, so that everyone can contribute in the event of any nasty invasions in the region.

Image: Dame Juliet Gerrard, the Prime Ministers Chief Science Advisor, speaking about New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 at the B3 conference.