Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostics - National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network (NPBDN)

The Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostics (SPHD) aims to sustain and improve the quality and reliability of plant pest diagnostics in Australia. SPHD achieves this by:

Coordinating the development of National Diagnostic Protocols for priority plant pests
Developing and implementing the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Strategy within the framework of the National Plant Biosecurity Strategy and the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity
Coordinating the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network
Assisting the development of diagnostic tools and material
Facilitating and coordinating the delivery of training to diagnosticians
Facilitating the progression of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing

SPHD is a subcommittee of Plant Health Committee (PHC) and includes representation from the Australian, state and territory governments, Plant Health Australia, CSIRO and the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries.

The full list of SPHD members can be found on the Discover our Work page.

Operating Guidelines

To view the operating guidelines for SPHD you need to be a member of the network and logged in.

SPHD Working Groups

There are four working groups that contribute to SPHD, together with an Executive Group. The working groups include the Diagnostic Protocols Working Group (DPWG), the Network Implementation Working Group (NIWG), the Reference Collections Implementation Plan Working Group (RCIPWG) and the Surge Capacity Working Group (SCWG).

SPHD and Working Group members at SPHD meeting 29, Hobart October 2019.

Executive Group

The Executive Group is the governing body of SPHD and includes the Chair, Deputy Chair, the Executive Officer and may draw on specific expertise within the subcommittee as required. It is responsible for ensuring the effective operation of the subcommittee and its working groups.

Diagnostic Protocols Working Group (DPWG)

The DPWG is responsible for the review and update of the SPHD Reference Standards for the development of diagnostic protocols. It oversees the development of National Diagnostic Protocols (NDP), monitor advances in technology and ensure reference standards remain current allowing new methodologies to be incorporated.

Network Implementation Working Group (NIWG)

NIWG is tasked with progressing the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network (NPBDN) to strengthen diagnostic capacity and capability across Australia. It is responsible for the driving national plant health diagnostic professional development initiatives, improving communication and connections between network members, and increasing nationally consistent arrangements through the implementation of the NPBDN.

Reference Collections Implementation Plan Working Group (RCIPWG)

The RCIPWG is responsible for the delivery of the National Reference Collections Strategy Implementation Plan

Surge Capacity Working Group (SCWG)

The SCWG is responsible for determining how diagnostic capability and capacity can be effectively utilised across the NPBDN to deliver a surge capacity in the event of an emergency response.

SPHD Achievements

Achievements of SPHD include:

The National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Strategy
Development of 42 endorsed National Diagnostic Protocols
A further 81 draft NDPs
Reference Standards to facilitate the development of NDPs developed in line with ISPM No.27 (Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests)
Development of Peer Review and Verification checklists for the development of NDPs
Implementation of proficiency testing for plant health laboratories
Contribution and revision to a NATA Field of Application Document (FAD)
Input into the development of new import conditions for positive controls for High Priority Pests

Current projects include:

Continued development of NDPs
Proficiency testing and promotion of quality management systems for plant health laboratories
Training for plant health professionals.