Plant Health Australia (PHA) and Hort Innovation welcome Stuart Burgess as the new manager of the National Fruit Fly Council (NFFC).

Stuart brings professional expertise in industry leadership in trade and biosecurity related programs with wide ranging experience in whole of industry leadership, management, and development at national, state and business levels, across a broad spectrum of government, industry and commercial sectors.

He is highly experienced, having been the CEO of Fruit Growers Tasmania and Fund Manager and Industry Services Manager at Hort Innovation. Stuart brings a rich understanding of biosecurity particularly as it relates to trade and bilateral trade operations and a strong and long-term connection to the Australian horticultural and agricultural sectors.

“I’m very excited to join the NFFC. With my expertise in industry leadership in trade and biosecurity related programs across sectors, I’m ready to hit the ground running,” said Stuart.

The NFFC will continue to work with growers and fruit fly management community groups across all states and territories to develop and communicate management options for fruit fly on a national scale. The council’s focus remains on improving the bottom line for producers through initiatives that enable them to produce clean, fruit-fly free produce, which will result in better domestic and international market access.

Stuart will continue to monitor and drive progress against the National Fruit Fly Strategy and lead the development of a cost-effective and sustainable national approach to fruit fly management.

“Stuart is the perfect fit with a strong and long-term connection to the Australian horticultural and agricultural sectors” said Matt Brand, CEO of Hort Innovation.

“The NFFC is a great example of another successful partnership between industry and government. Stuart’s selection emphasises PHA’s ongoing commitment to a strong biosecurity partnership,” said Mila Bristow, PHA’s National Manager: Performance and Innovation.

Along with a full-time project officer, Stuart will be supported by PHA’s Executive Management Team with oversight from Mila Bristow, National Manager: Performance and Innovation. The NFFC is funded by Hort Innovation, states and the Australian government, and all of the fruit fly impacted horticultural industries.