Worldwide Monitoring Systems: The Need for Public and Private Collaboration

In recent years, invasive plant pathogens such as Phytophthora ramorum and Puccinia graminis (TTKS) have emerged as global threats that move rapidly across international boundaries. To counter such threats, the accurate monitoring of global plant health concerns necessitates the involvement of all agricultural sectors: governmental agencies, universities and the agricultural industry. Many members of industry conduct (i) scouting of research and seed production fields for pests, (ii) phytosanitary field inspections, and (iii) provide disease diagnostics testing for their customers. The Pest Information Platform (PIPE) proved to be an excellent vehicle for fostering collaborative efforts between the public and private sector in monitoring for Soybean Rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) in North America. The American Seed Trade Association’s Phytosanitary Committee has developed a draft proposal for an industry PIPE platform for a narrow list of new and emerging pests of corn, soybeans and watermelon. Combining private industry and public pest data into a central database can provide (i) useful pest distribution information for state extension specialists; (ii) improved monitoring for emerging and exotic pest threats; and (iii) improved pest distribution records for state and federal regulators to enhance their decision making. Expanding PIPE like systems beyond national borders has potential to provide additional information for agencies to prepare and respond to exotic pest threats. Many members of industry with international operations have the capacity to jump start the development of a global PIPE. However, a global PIPE would require a comprehensive data sharing policy that protects national, state and corporate interests.