Market Access Team

The Market Access team helps take Queensland’s horticulture to the world.

Our role is to help Queensland and Australian growers establish long-term agreements to export their products. We conduct research that is used to negotiate trade pathways.

Key research

We provide scientific research and development to support domestic and international trade.

Our work is supported by the Queensland Government and multiple funding partners, including:

  • the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR),
  • the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE),
  • Hort Innovation Australia
  • other collaborative agreements with industries.

During 2021, the Market Access team worked on 9 projects, with a total value of $42 million.

  • Phenology, demography and distribution of Australia’s fruit flies (2020–2022)

    This national collaboration is combining new and existing knowledge about fruit flies to ensure regulators have access to comprehensive scientific and technical information.

    The project aims to:

    • clarify current fruit fly distribution
    • better understand fruit fly reproduction and development
    • provide updated host lists
    • develop molecular-based diagnostic tools that will automate the identification of large, multi-species trap catches.

    For more information, see our case study: Predicting and preventing fruit fly.

  • Efficacy data to support methyl bromide disinfestation treatments against fruit flies (2020–2022)

    This project is examining the methyl bromide doses effective against fruit flies in a range of commodities. It will provide information and recommendations for domestic trade pathways. Physiological studies and residue analysis of treated fruit and vegetables will lead to a better understanding of fumigation. Full efficacy data sets will be developed for key commodities.

    Read more about this project.

  • MT14052 Essential Market Access Data Packages (2016–2022)

    This multi-industry project is developing a suite of phytosanitary data packages to support long-term goals for international market access.

  • BB19001 Additional CT schedule for Qfly in blueberries for market access to China (2020– 2022)

    The project involves research to develop cold treatment schedules for Queensland fruit fly in blueberries for potential export to China.

  • MG17005 Conditional non host systems protocol for fruit fly in mangoes (2019–2021)

    This project determined the host status for pest fruit fly species of hard, mature mangoes. Information gathered through this project will help to expand Australia’s mango industry exports.

  • FF19000 Sex determination of fruit fly pupa using near infrared spectroscopy (SIT) (2020–2022)

    This project developed a non-invasive, rapid assessment technique to consistently sort male and female Queensland fruit fly pupae using near infrared spectroscopy technology.

    It will be applied in the Sterile Insect Technology program.

  • ACIAR Development of area-wide management approaches for fruit flies in mango for Indonesia, Philippines, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region (2018 – 2023)

    The project is using area-wide management systems to successfully control fruit flies in small areas. Read our case study for more information.

  • IAEA technical cooperation project in the Asia and Pacific promoting food irradiation by electron beam and X-ray technology to enhance food safety, security and trade

    This project is addressing the over-reliance on cobalt-60 gamma facilities for food irradiation worldwide and promoting new irradiation technologies that treat food using electron beam and X-ray radiation.

  • IAEA coordinated research project (CRP) Irradiation technology for phytosanitary treatment of food commodities and promotion of trade

    This project focuses on finding examples of tolerant species in 7 pest groups and developing suitable generic phytosanitary irradiation treatments.

    Developing generic doses for these pest groups (plus the 150 Gy dose already in place for fruit flies) would address more than 90% of quarantine issues for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Contributions to protocols and standards

Our achievements include several domestic and international export protocols that provide certainty for Queensland’s growers seeking to export their produce.

These protocols were developed from data sets generated by our team. The fruit export protocols we’ve helped to develop are already worth more than $110 million annually.

Meet the team

Our Market Access team works across Queensland to understand and address challenges faced by the horticulture industry.

The team is made up of:

  • scientists with research skills and experience in horticulture, plant physiology, entomology, ecology, chemistry, data analysis, statistics and bioinformatics.
  • staff who specialise in communication, engagement and extension, market access and biosecurity regulations.

Key staff

  • Nick Macleod, Director Tropical Fruits and Market Access
  • Peter Leach, Market Access Focus Team Leader and Senior Principal Entomologist, Cairns
  • Pauline Wyatt, Principal Research Scientist, Brisbane
  • Lara Senior, Senior Entomologist, Brisbane
  • Brendan Missenden, Senior Entomologist, Brisbane
  • Stef De Faveri, Principal Entomologist, Mareeba
  • Liz Hall, Principal Research Technician, Cairns
  • Penny Measham, Coordinator, Brisbane

Our research teams are based in Brisbane, Redlands, Cairns and Mareeba.

Last updated: 05 Apr 2023