As the world population continues to grow, our future is inexorably linked to a secure food supply and a healthy environment. Having strong plant protection and biosecurity systems is not just desirable, but is critical to our existence.
Queensland has an exemplary record of implementing successful biosecurity measures, such as the eradication of citrus bacterial canker, the control of sugarcane smut, and the containment of Panama Tropical Race 4 in banana plantations.
Such achievements are testimony to Queensland’s world-leading research and development capacity in plant protection and plant health. So it is only logical that our great state be host to an international conference that seeks to inform and provide an information exchange for the world’s leading authorities in this endeavour.
One of my passions is to see the translation of research and ideas into practical solutions. We can do so much more to improve translation through effective collaboration and communication between researchers and industry. Many of the programs developed under the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland initiative are focussed on this very thing – and require research institutions to ‘hold hands’ with industry and end users, thereby improving the flow of ideas in both directions.
I am therefore delighted that the SCIPLANT 2017 is focussed on facilitating engagement and the exchange of ideas between researchers and the end users of this research.
I commend the SCIPLANT 2017 to all those interested in learning more about, and to applying the world’s best ideas in plant health.
Dr Geoff Garrett AO
Queensland Chief Scientist
2011 - 2016
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