Biosecurity Futures Research Centre

Biosecurity Futures supports research aimed at protecting Australia’s natural environments, primary production and people from current and potential biosecurity threats

The world’s population is projected to reach 9 billion by 2050, and food production must double by that time to combat hunger. Currently, about 40% of global food production is lost every year to pests and disease. Invasive species impose a significant burden on Australian agriculture, and exotic pests pose a constant threat to border security. Marine Pests present a massive management issue because of Australia’s reliance on shipping for trade, and the potential for pests to spread in ballast water and on the hulls of ships. Invasive species, such as weeds, insects and pathogens, not only threaten Australia’s economy and natural environments but some also have serious implications for human health. Further, we live in a changing world in which biosecurity threats present a moving target. Impacts of changing environmental conditions on the potential distributions and life cycles of native and invasive species are, for the most part, poorly understood.

Biosecurity Futures Research Centre promotes research into the environmental, economic and human impact of pests and pathogens to guide management of biosecurity threats, and for effective quarantine and border security.