7 July, 2021
Cameras able to detect foreign pests just a few millimetres in size are the latest weapons being used to stop biosecurity threats from entering the country, thanks to new technology coming out of the capital.
Machine-learning cameras developed by Canberra-based Trellis Data have been used at Australian ports to help detect invasive species hiding in cargo containers, without having to manually inspect them.
The technology has been used as part of a two-week trial by the Department of Agriculture at the Port of Brisbane.
Any unusual plant pest, disease or weed should be reported.
Reporting hotlines operate in both Australia and New Zealand (numbers shown below).
Australian Exotic Plant Pest Hotline
New Zealand Pest and Disease Hotline
Pests can also be reported using apps, such as MyPestGuide® for Australia, that allow you to submit a photo of the pest or symptoms.
Every report is taken seriously and handled confidentially. Management of calls varies in different areas, but to the same end.
Join a community of professionals dedicated to strengthening surveillance capacity and capability across the Australasia-Pacific region.
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