Market access research

Finding innovative ways to manage biosecurity and other requirements for trade

Our phytosanitary risk science is part of a broader portfolio of research delivered by CSIRO and its partners that aims to facilitate and modernise market access for agriculture industries.

A key theme across our research is to harness practices, data and technologies that are already in place in contemporary production systems and supply chains to support the management of phytosanitary risks and other market access requirements. Where possible, we look for synergies between biosecurity, food safety, food quality and sustainability outcomes. We see significant opportunities for innovation in the way trade-related risks are managed and how compliance with market access requirements is demonstrated.

Empirical studies that inform the development and testing of risk tools or improved options for managing phytosanitary risks are an important element of our work. Other research applies digital technologies to extract more value from data generated during production, in the supply chain and for compliance. Our portfolio also includes social and economic research, such as assessing factors that influence trust in international supply chains, or the capacity of business to compete in global markets.

One exciting area of research is the application of imaging technologies to enhance the detection of pests in consignments for trade. Fresh produce pack houses often have automated grading systems that use optical scanning technologies to sort produce and discard any that do not meet quality specifications. We are investigating if this technology can be augmented to also detect pests of biosecurity concern and reliably remove infested fruit from the pack line. Find out more here.

In the coming months, we will share more of our work here, including:

  • Biosecurity Risk Calculators that track infestation risk through the production and supply chain
  • How diverse sources of data can be shared for advanced analysis, using privacy-preserving techniques
  • Innovative technologies and platforms that enable continuous assurance of essential market access requirements, including biosecurity risk management
  • Methods to assess digital maturity in agricultural industries