When: 11am-12pm (AEDT) Tuesday 24 November 2026
Chair: Dr Rosa Crnov, Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer
Presenters: This month’s webinar will feature a panel discussion with members of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Detector Dog Program, facilitated by Holly Buckle, Assistant Secretary, Cargo Operations South and Detector Dogs. Drawing on expertise from across Program leadership, operations, training and capability development, panel members will bring extensive experience shaping, delivering, and sustaining one of Australia's most recognised biosecurity capabilities. Together, they will provide strategic, operational and technical perspectives on the Program's contribution to Australia's biosecurity system, offering attendees a unique insight into both the delivery and future direction of this nationally significant capability.
Topic: DAFF’s Detector Dog Program - Protecting Australia’s Plant Health and Biosecurity
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) Detector Dog Program is one of Australia’s most recognisable biosecurity capabilities, helping protect plant health, agricultural industries and the environment from exotic pests and diseases.
In this webinar, we will take participants behind-the-scenes of the Detector Dog Program to explore how detector dog teams contribute to Australia's plant biosecurity system. Through a facilitated panel discussion, representatives from across the Program will share how detector dogs are selected, trained and prepared for operational deployment. It will also cover how their unique capabilities are used to detect plant-related biosecurity risks, including seeds, plant material and the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB).
Drawing on strategic, operational and technical perspectives, the panel will share examples of recent detections and operational activities and will explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the Program. The discussion will also highlight the critical role of collaboration, innovation and research partnerships in strengthening biosecurity outcomes, including examples of research-informed capability development and initiatives to better understand where and how detector dog teams can be deployed to have the greatest impact.
The session will also examine the challenge of balancing operational demands with innovation and future capability development, translating research into practical outcomes, and supporting continued growth of the capability. Ultimately, the webinar will highlight how collaboration and shared investment in innovation can help strengthen Australia's plant biosecurity system into the future.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/421818923093065?p=46EZjdolJXv2QlMObG
Meeting ID: 421 818 923 093 065
Passcode: H6Er7av9
