Better Border Biosecurity (B3) has invested $4 million in new research projects that include the development of new eDNA applications for monitoring and speeding up the assessment of pathogens in imported budwood to more easily detect the presence of unwanted organisms both in natural and productive sector plants systems and importation pathways.
B3 Director David Teulon says this year over half of B3’s total budget was available for reinvestment. “Researchers have worked hard with others in Aotearoa New Zealand’s biosecurity community to co-develop projects that meet their needs. We plan our projects from the start for uptake and implementation,’’ he says.
“We will be looking to include at least 5 new PhD studentships in new projects and two kaupapa Māori projects were also funded.”
Read about all the new projects. Substantial new biosecurity science investment – B3 | Science Solutions for Better Border Biosecurity (b3nz.org.nz)