National diagnostic protocols for plant pests
National Diagnostic Protocols (NDPs) allow you to rapidly and accurately diagnose specific plant pests, particularly when there is an incursion. Use of the NDPs will help you to be consistent with Australia’s agreed approach to diagnosing plant pests. Furthermore, use of the NDPs helps to ensure that Australia meets its international plant protection obligations when responding to pest incursions.
Protocol Development
The NDPs have been:
- developed by the Sub-committee on Plant Health Diagnostic Standards (SPHDS)
- validated by independent specialist in accordance with ‘SPHDS Reference Standard No. 2: Development of Diagnostic Protocols – Technical Procedures’ (this document can be downloaded from the National diagnostic protocol guidelines and reference standards page)
- endorsed by the national Plant Health Committee (PHC).
The SPHDS is currently in the process of developing more NDPs. These new protocols will be added to this page following endorsement by the PHC.
Endorsed Protocols
- Apple Brown Rot – National Diagnostic Protocol No. 1
- Plum Pox Virus (Version 2) – National Diagnostic Protocol No. 2
PDF [2mb] 
Word [5mb]
- Avocado Thrips – National Diagnostic Protocol No. 3 PDF [3.8mb]
- Poinsettia Thrips – National Diagnostic Protocol No. 4 PDF [6.7mb]
- Sudden Oak Death – National Diagnostic Protocol No. 5 PDF [2.1mb] Word [3.3mb]
- Pierce’s Disease – National Diagnostic Protocol No. 6 PDF [1mb] Word [2.6mb]
Last reviewed: 25 Feb 2010
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