New head for National Plant Biosecurity CRC

The newly-funded Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity has announced the appointment of Dr Simon McKirdy as its chief executive officer.

Dr McKirdy has promised industry-focused leadership to the CEO position, saying that the CRC will deliver "real outcomes that will benefit the grower on the ground."

The Centre will develop technology to minimise the impact of plant biosecurity incursions to Australia, with research programs in areas of: preparedness and prevention, diagnostics, surveillance, and impact management, as well as biosecurity education and training.

Technology produced at the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity will be largely delivered through its 19 participants from industry, government and research organisations Australia-wide, while the Centre is also actively developing linkages with international organisations involved in plant biosecurity, an area which is recognised as a major global challenge to the plant industries. The change of jobs will be a smooth transition for Dr McKirdy, who moves from a program management position with Plant Health Australia Ltd (PHA), a core participant in the new CRC, to take up the CEO position.

Dr McKirdy will take over from Dr Bill Roberts, now chief scientist with Biosecurity Australia, who has been acting as interim CEO during the Centre's start-up phase.

The CRC for National Plant Biosecurity, to be based in Canberra, commenced operations formally in September this year.