Safeguarding the Future of Farming – Biosecurity at the Border and Beyond

About

This year’s Innovation Series has explored how innovation and sustainability are shaping the future of farming. For our final event of the year, we turn to one of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture: biosecurity.

From invasive pests and diseases to global supply chain risks, biosecurity is critical to maintaining the resilience of New Zealand’s farming systems. With changing trade dynamics, climate shifts, and increasing movement of people and goods, the risks are greater than ever—but so too are the opportunities for innovation.

How can New Zealand harness science, technology, and policy to strengthen our biosecurity system while supporting productivity and market access? Join us as leading experts share insights into the tools, research, and strategies that will protect our food, farms, and natural environment for generations to come.

This special Innovation Series event is brought to you in partnership with Lincoln University's Centre of Excellence in One Biosecurity Research, Analysis and Synthesis (COBRAS), which brings together researchers, industry, and government to design innovative, integrated biosecurity solutions for New Zealand.

Tuesday 21 October
9.00am - 1.30pm
Pātiki, Waimarie Building, Lincoln University

We hope you can join us!

Timings

9.00am: Welcome & Introductions
Introductions from Distinguished Professor Phillip Hulme, Lincoln University
Opening remarks to set the stage for a day exploring how innovation in biosecurity underpins the future of farming in New Zealand.

Session 1: Frontline Defences – Innovation at the Border

9.15am – 10.20am
This session explores how science and technology are reshaping border biosecurity, from early detection and diagnostics to predictive modelling and smarter surveillance.

9.15am Keynote Speaker 1 – TBC
9.40am Keynote Speaker 2 – TBC
10.05am Keynote Speaker 3 – TBC
10.20am: Session Summary & Q&A – Prof. Phillip Hulme

10.35am: Break

Session 2: Farm Gate Biosecurity – Building Resilience On-Farm

10.50am – 11.55am
Farms are the second line of defence. This session examines tools and practices that protect livestock, crops, and soil health from emerging threats.

10.50am Keynote Speaker 1 – TBC
11.10am Keynote Speaker 2 – TBC
11.30am Keynote Speaker 3 – TBC
11.55am: Session Summary & Q&A – Prof. Phillip Hulme

12.10pm: Break

Session 3: Future Horizons – Policy, Partnerships and Innovation for a Secure Food System

12.20pm – 1.25pm
The final session looks at the big picture—how policy, collaboration, and innovation can deliver a robust, future-proof biosecurity system.

12.20pm Keynote Speaker 1 – TBC
12.40pm Keynote Speaker 2 – TBC
1.00pm Keynote Speaker 3 – TBC
1.25pm: Session Summary & Q&A – Prof. Phillip Hulme

Closing Remarks & Networking
1.30pm: Event Concludes

Distinguished Professor Philip Hulme

Distinguished Professor Philip Hulme is a leading international biosecurity scientist. According to Web of Science, his publications have been cited over 33,000 times (>56,000 on Google Scholar) and his H index currently stands at 87 (105 on Google Scholar). He has been included in the Clarivate global list of Highly Cited Researchers in each of the last eleven years. His primary research focus is developing solutions to support biosecurity to prevent or mitigate biological invasions by pests, weeds, and pathogens. As well as building fundamental ecological and epidemiological knowledge of invasive alien species, his research also includes wider assessments of biological invasions and increasingly the importance of human perspectives such as the role of trade and wealth creation on invasion rates as well as the importance of appreciating the non-market costs of alien species impacts. Internationally, he was a coordinating lead-author on the Invasive Alien Species Assessment undertaken by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Nationally, he has served for over six years on the NZ Biosecurity Ministerial Advisory Committee and regionally he sits of the Environment Canterbury Biosecurity Advisory Group and the Canterbury-Aoraki Conservation Board. He was appointed as a Director of the QEII National Trust and serves on the Zespri Biosecurity Advisory Group. Examples of recent projects include those examining the unifying topics underpinning human, animal, plant, and environmental health including the role of citizen science as well as the socioecological drivers of increasing antimicrobial and pesticide resistance worldwide.

Book your Space

Register Here