Plant Health Committee (PHC)

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Plant Health Committee (PHC)

The Plant Health Committee (PHC) develops national plant health policy, capacity and capability in Australia.

Objectives

  1. To provide strategic policy, technical and regulatory advice to Primary Industries Standing Committee (PISC) on plant health matters.
  2. To establish standards for adoption in national plant health programs.
  3. To facilitate a consistent approach to legislative outcomes for plant health activity in Australia.
  4. The principal focus of the Committee’s activity is facilitation of improved biosecurity for Australia’s plant industries and contribution to safe domestic and international trade in plant products.
  5. To collaborate with Plant Health Australia and other appropriate organisations and committees.

Terms of Reference

  1. To ensure a continuing review and prioritisation of the pests affecting Australian plant industries is undertaken with particular regard to their incidence, management and economic importance.
  2. To advise PISC on the general principles and procedures required for the control, containment or eradication of plant pests including the need for new or changed international or domestic quarantine action.
  3. To advise PISC on recommendations which should be made to Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) with respect to developments in the fields of plant health, particularly with regard to research, extension, training and regulatory issues.
  4. To advise PISC on the prospects for, and all aspects of action required for, the use of biological and chemical control and integrated management techniques for plant pests.
  5. To recommend to PISC on actions necessary for the containment or eradication of specific plant pests that may gain entry to Australia with particular regard to technical and regulatory considerations.
  6. To consider and advise PISC on the technical implications of government policies as they apply to plant health.
  7. To consider, report and make recommendations on any matter referred to it by PISC.
  8. To ensure alignment, effective liaison and complementary work programs with Plant Health Australia.
  9. To develop a two year workplan and use this as a basis for providing six monthly reports to PISC, through the National Biosecurity Committee (NBC).
  10. To develop policies, procedures and measures for interstate and international market access and quarantine for plant products for both domestic and international markets risks to industries and regions.

Membership

PHC membership comprises of representatives from:

  • the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer and Biosecurity Australia)
  • the state and territory departments of primary industries and agriculture
  • Plant Health Australia
  • the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
  • Research Priority Coordination Committee
  • MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) Biosecurity Authority (observer status)
  • the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (observer status)
  • Australian Plague Locust Commission (observer status).

Chairing

PHC is chaired by the Chief Plant Protection Officer within the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Secretariat

Secretariat support for PHC is provided by the Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer.

Meeting arrangements

Face-to-face meetings of PHC are convened twice a year in June and November. PHC also convenes teleconference twice a year in March and September.

Parent committee

PHC is a subcommittee of the National Biosecurity Committee.

Sub-committees

The following are sub-committees of PHC:

Contact

Name: Julia Rymer
Phone: +61 2 6272 4837



Last reviewed: 22 Dec 2008
Contact:
Email the Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer
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