Stuart Burgess from Plant Health Australia (PHA) and Alison MacGregor from the National Fruit Fly Council’s (NFFC) Executive Committee participated alongside industry leaders and researchers at the Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance (FASTA) Symposium, held at Queensland University of Technology’s Gardens Point campus in Brisbane in October.

The event provided a collaborative platform to share the latest research and insights on the FASTA program’s key activities, focusing on strengthening industry capabilities and improving trade outcomes These efforts are crucial to the successful implementation of the National Fruit Fly Strategy.  

Highlights of the symposium include:  

• updates from leading researchers in the FASTA program  

• insights into how the program’s six research components drive improved trade outcomes  

• a deeper understanding of the market access and export negotiation landscape  

• opportunities for networking with key industry representatives and FASTA researchers from across Australia.  

This gathering underscored FASTA’s commitment to addressing fruit fly challenges and advancing trade prospects for the agricultural sector.