International Symposium on Limiting the Spread of Contaminant Pests

Registrations have been extended for the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment's International Symposium on Limiting the Spread of Contaminant Pests. The Symposium will be held at the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park in Sydney, Australia from 3-4 March 2020, followed by a half-day meeting of the Virtual Working Group on 5 March 2020.

The Symposium will bring together representatives from International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) member countries and relevant industry organisations involved in international trade to discuss the issue of contaminant pests and foster collaboration between industry and government stakeholders on cost effective commercial solutions. We also encourage NPPOs to seek relevant industry or industry organisation participation.

The Symposium will inform representatives about the IPPC Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) recommendation on Facilitating safe trade by reducing the incidence of contaminating pests associated with traded goods that was agreed by CPM-14 to progress to CPM-15 (2020) as a draft for country consultation. The IPPC Strategic Planning Group (SPG) reviewed the recommendation at its October 2019 meeting.

Key objectives of the Symposium:

•Raise awareness about the global spread of contaminant pests on goods and conveyances, including their effect on production and amenity.

•Highlight strategies employed by industry and international governments to limit the spread of contaminant pests, including lessons learnt.

•Facilitate discussion between industry and government representatives about improved container hygiene and pathway management.

•Encourage global stewardship for clean trade and collaboration among stakeholders involved at national, regional and global levels.

The Symposium will be held in English and participants will be expected to actively contribute to workshop activities and discussions throughout the event.

Please register before 14 February 2020. To register for the event, please click on the ‘REGISTER’ button above and complete the online registration form.

Please note: Registrations completed through Eventbrite by self-funded participants will be considered as confirmed attendees. If funding assistance is requested in the registration process, the registration will be considered as nomination until funding assistance can be confirmed by the organiser.

Funding assistance The organisation that employs a participant is responsible for funding the travel and daily subsistence allowance for that person to be able to attend. If the employer is unable to allocate sufficient funds, the Australian Commonwealth Department of Agriculture may be able to provide funding assistance to attend the symposium. The allocation of funds is limited. Funding criteria is available here.

If you would like to submit a nomination for funding assistance to attend the symposium, please provide information requested in the registration form and the office will contact you to discuss your nomination. PLEASE NOTE: The funding assistance application period is closed and applications for funding are no longer being accepted as of 3 February 2020.

Travel documentation If you require a letter of invitation to assist with your Visa, please select 'yes' when prompted during registration.

Accommodation. It is recommended that delegates book their accommodation in Sydney as soon as possible due to a peak demand during this period. Accommodation is available at the venue (Pullman Hyde Park), however there are many accommodation options within walking distance to suit a range of budgets. Please note that average accommodation rates in this area for March 2020 (as of November 2019) are between $200-$400 AUD (Australian dollars) and may rise as the date approaches

Getting there. The venue is conveniently located within the main central business district of Sydney (only two kilometres from the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge). The address is: Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, 36 College St, Sydney.

Train. The venue is a five minute walk from Museum train station or a ten minute walk from Town Hall train station - both on the city circle line (see network map). For more information on the Sydney rail network, including trip planner and fares, visit the Transport for New South Wales website.

Airport . The venue is approximately 10 kilometres from Sydney Airport. Transport options from the airport can be found at the Sydney Airport website.

Program. A preliminary program is now available on the IPPC website.

Important Privacy Notice Information

So that we can finalise your registration, please visit the Privacy Notice as we will need to confirm you have read and understand it.

Further information

For any other questions or information, please email the Environmental Biosecurity Office.

Issues registering through Eventbrite?

If you are experiencing issues registering on Eventbrite, contact the Environmental Biosecurity Office

We look forward to seeing you at the symposium.