Six new plant border biosecurity projects have started in July 2020, adding to an already extensive suite of work currently being led by New Zealand’s B3 research collaboration.

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By Better Border Biosecurity.

Five new projects will be fully funded and one partially funded by B3 following a competitive process that involved identifying key gaps in its research agenda.

The robust process to identify projects began in October 2019, at which time B3 science partners submitted their ideas. Reviews by the B3 Science Advisory Group (SAG) followed with final approval given by the B3 Collaboration Council.

B3 director Dr David Teulon says co-innovation has been critical to the development of these new projects. This has meant working closely with key stakeholders so the research targets high priority biosecurity needs for New Zealand and outcomes are implemented by government and industry.

Read more about the new projects announced here. 

The B3 research collaboration has appointed two Māori members, Holden Hohaia (Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research) and Melanie Mark-Shadbolt (BioHeritage NSC, Te Tira Whakamātaki), to its Collaboration Council.
 
B3 Council Chair James Buwalda says the council is committed to fulfilling its Treaty obligations by having Māori representation at a governance level and acknowledge the essential knowledge Māori bring to the conversation to ensure New Zealand is effective in its approach to biosecurity.

The B3 council agreed to appoint the two new members following its decision earlier this year to strengthen partnership with Māori as part of the B3 collaboration.
 
Read more about these appointments here. 

B3 has also recently launched its new website which includes enhanced features and information on its work, and now provides the option to sign up and receive news.

Check out the new website here. 

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If you have any questions about this article please contact Wanda.Vivequin@plantandfood.co.nz 

Posted July 2020