I’ve just started the AHCBIO303 – Apply Biosecurity Measures unit, and it’s already clear how vital biosecurity is to the horticulture industry. Over the past year, we’ve seen several serious pest and disease outbreaks — including the tomato brown rugose fruit virus, which heavily impacted tomato production in Virginia, and the removal of over 1,000 trees in Hope Valley to stop the spread of the invasive Giant Pine Scale pest. These incidents highlight how crucial effective biosecurity measures are for protecting our plants, produce, and livelihoods.
This week, our focus has been on identifying biosecurity threats and learning how to determine and apply appropriate control measures. For our practical component, we took a trip to the Adelaide Central Market to see biosecurity principles in action. It was a fantastic experience — not only to observe real-world applications of what we’ve been learning but also to enjoy some of the finest local produce South Australia has to offer!
