Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation

1.1 Background
The Murray-Darling Basin and the Mekong are two of the world's major catchment systems. They drain similar areas, are both over 4,000km in total length and support over 60 million people combined. Both systems contain unique fish communities which are importance sources of biodiversity, food security and recreational opportunities. The Murray-Darling Basin has an active recreational fishery estimated to be worth between $AUD750K - 1,000K annually. The current annual production from the capture fishery in the LMB is about two million tonnes, which is approximately 2% of the total world marine and freshwater catch with a first-sale value between US$2,000-4,000 million per year.
Irrigation development in Australia and Lao P.D.R. has led to construction of numerous water regulation devices (over 10,000 in both countries) which limit migratory fish movement. Movements of fish (and other aquatic animals) between rivers and floodplains is subsequently restricted, or may be entirely prevented, and this has led to severe declines in fish production in many areas. Fisheries agencies in both countries are interested in increasing capacity to design manage and operate fish passage facilities on new and existing low-level water control structures in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of fish resources in each country.
This project seeks to undertake research and development activities that provide quantifiable evidence that fishway construction provides positive benefits floodplain fish species in the Lower Mekong and Murray-Darling Basins. A project team has been assembled which comprises scientists from New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, National University of Laos and Living Aquatic Resources Research Centre.
1.2 Inception Activities
The project has had an extended inception phase with has seen the initiation of three main objectives.
1.2.1 Analyse and prioritise infrastructure causing fish migration barriers to lateral migrations between the Mekong River and floodplain habitat
A preliminary prioritisation of all fish migration barriers in the Xe Champone catchment was completed. The purpose of this component was to provide a detailed list of potential rehabilitation works for consideration by donor bodies looking to identify areas of future investment. The work required an initial desktop phase which was followed by field validation of actual barriers using GIS-based technology. The team collected a large dataset which is currently undergoing detailed analysis and prioritisation. This will be reported and presented to donor bodies in early 2012.
1.2.2 Research the effectiveness of low-costs fishways for widespread application at floodplain barriers in the lower Mekong basin and the Murray-Darling Basin
The project team successfully progressed the construction and installation of an experimental fishway unit at a new experimental site in Savannakhet province. The unit was constructed under the supervision of Lao PDR and Australian scientists but was constructed and installed by local labour. Work was completed in late May 2011 and Australian scientists have now arrived in Lao PDR to perform field experiments during the Lao wet season (May-August 2011).
1.1.1 Quantify the biological, ecological and socio-economic benefits of floodplain rehabilitation using fish passage technology to mitigate impacts
A detailed socio-economic survey design workshop was held at Charles Sturt University in March 2011. The outcome of the workshop was the preparation of a draft survey instrument due to be piloted with villages in Bolikhamsay province in June 2011. The team also planned a detailed training schedule for university students who will be engaged to undertake the surveys. Surveys are currently being translated into local language for implementation.
1.2 Overall progress
So far the project is on-schedule and tracking to meet all scheduled objectives. No major problems have arisen and the project team have formed a strong collaboration. The project has attracted media and government interest in both Lao PDR and Australia. Outputs due for publication in the international literature are also expected to increase the project profile lead to scientific impacts in other tropical systems.

1.1 Background
The Murray-Darling Basin and the Mekong are two of the world's major catchment systems. They drain similar areas, are both over 4,000km in total length and support over 60 million people combined. Both systems contain unique fish communities which are importance sources of biodiversity, food security and recreational opportunities. The Murray-Darling Basin has an active recreational fishery estimated to be worth between $AUD750K - 1,000K annually. The current annual production from the capture fishery in the LMB is about two million tonnes, which is approximately 2% of the total world marine and freshwater catch with a first-sale value between US$2,000-4,000 million per year.
Irrigation development in Australia and Lao P.D.R. has led to construction of numerous water regulation devices (over 10,000 in both countries) which limit migratory fish movement. Movements of fish (and other aquatic animals) between rivers and floodplains is subsequently restricted, or may be entirely prevented, and this has led to severe declines in fish production in many areas. Fisheries agencies in both countries are interested in increasing capacity to design manage and operate fish passage facilities on new and existing low-level water control structures in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of fish resources in each country.
This project seeks to undertake research and development activities that provide quantifiable evidence that fishway construction provides positive benefits floodplain fish species in the Lower Mekong and Murray-Darling Basins. A project team has been assembled which comprises scientists from New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, National University of Laos and Living Aquatic Resources Research Centre.
1.2 Inception Activities
The project has had an extended inception phase with has seen the initiation of three main objectives.
1.2.1 Analyse and prioritise infrastructure causing fish migration barriers to lateral migrations between the Mekong River and floodplain habitat
A preliminary prioritisation of all fish migration barriers in the Xe Champone and Xe Bang Hieng catchment was completed. The purpose of this component was to provide a detailed list of potential rehabilitation works for consideration by donor bodies looking to identify areas of future investment. The work required an initial desktop phase which was followed by field validation of actual barriers using GIS-based technology. The team collected a large dataset which is currently undergoing detailed analysis and prioritisation. We identified over 3,000 barriers to fish migration in the two catchments and presented these results to a project progress meeting in Vientiane (January 2012). The work was very widely received and is presently being considered by the Mekong River Commission for adoption to the entire catchment in all riparian countries. The project team has been asked to assist with a framework development which is currently being prepared by the MRC Fisheries Programme.
1.2.2 Research the effectiveness of low-costs fishways for widespread application at floodplain barriers in the lower Mekong basin and the Murray-Darling Basin
The project team successfully progressed the construction and installation of an experimental fishway unit at a new experimental site in Savannakhet province. The unit was constructed under the supervision of Lao PDR and Australian scientists but was constructed and installed by local labour. Work was completed in late May 2011 and Australian scientists performed field experiments during the Lao wet season (May-August 2011). Unfortunately the wet season arrived late and results on fishway success were inconclusive.
The project team subsequently re-established the experimental fishway site at Pak Peung (Central Lao) and have re-commended experiments. Initial results have been extremely promising with the team averaging catches of 200 fish per hour from up to 20 species per replicate. Work will continue well into the wet season and results will be analysed and presented upon completion.
1.2.3 Quantify the biological, ecological and socio-economic benefits of floodplain rehabilitation using fish passage technology to mitigate impacts

A detailed socio-economic survey was facilitated by Charles Sturt University and National University of Lao in September 2011. The team also planned a detailed training schedule for university students who will be engaged to undertake the surveys. Surveys were translated into local language for implementation and preliminary results were presented at a national fishway workshop.
1.3 Overall progress
So far the project is on-schedule and tracking to meet all scheduled objectives. No major problems have arisen and the project team have formed a strong collaboration. The project has attracted media and government interest in both Lao PDR and Australia. Outputs due for publication in the international literature are also expected to increase the project profile lead to scientific impacts in other tropical systems.

HORT/2010/006- "Integrated crop management practices to enhance value chain outcomes for the mango industry in Pakistan and Australia" aims to facilitate the establishment and spread of 'clean' mango nurseries and general good tree husbandry so that high quality planting material is widely available to the industry; to develop improved orchard management practices for the sustainable production of quality fruit for the domestic and export markets; to investigate and develop integrated strategies for the management of field diseases and pests affecting fruit productivity; to determine the prevalence and impact of postharvest diseases and develop management strategies to address them and to facilitate the enhancement of extension and capacity building capabilities in the mango industry to improve value chain benefit flows

Establishment of disease free nurseries

This activity is continuing from ASLP1. During ASLP1 modern nursery infrastructures were established at the Mango Research Station (MRS), Shujabad in Punjab and the Sindh Horticulture Research Institute (SHRI), Mirpur Khas in Sindh. Research at these stations continued to standardize potting mixes, suitable to support mango seedlings in the nurseries, which are relatively free of any kind of contaminants. Out of some 200 different combinations of potting mixes, the project team at MRS has now been able to select one best combination which supports and maintains healthy plants with supplementary nutrition. The ingredients of this selected potting mix include coconut shell, baggas and silt. The project team has standardised the method of preparing this mix, method of sterilizing it and the time taken for its desired decomposition. The media is also used in supporting grafted plants. The potting mix will be commercialised after its evaluation at different geographical locations in Punjab and Sindh by research station teams as well as by some nursery producers.

During ASLP1, a salt tolerant variety (13-1) was imported from Australia and distributed to different research stations for evaluation. The plants could generally not withstand the salt conditions of Pakistan as this variety is sodium (Na) susceptible and most of the soils of mango orchards in Pakistan have excess Na salt. Few plants, however, survived at the MRS and have been used as scion on some local rootstocks to multiply for further testing. But it is apparent that this variety may not be successful as a rootstock under Pakistan conditions.

Besides 13-1, MRS has a collection of some 40 mango germplasm that have been imported from Australia. The station is multiplying these materials to evaluate their resistances against different biotic and abiotic stresses.

The other activity of ASLP2 is to extend the model commercial nursery to more growers. Potential growers for involvement have been identified and some will receive extensive training in Australia so that they can establish such nurseries back in Pakistan under the technical supervision of the ASLP project team.

Improved mango orchard management

Based largely on the findings of ASLP1, the project team has now developed different pre-harvest mango orchard management protocols specifically for Punjab and Sindh growing conditions. Printed copies of these protocols have been distributed to growers for use and are also being validated at different integrated research sites to directly demonstrate to growers the differences in yield and fruit quality from their use.

During ASLP1, pruning and canopy management trials demonstrated good results at different locations, in terms of plant health, vigor and reduced tree heights with no compromise on fruit yield as initially feared. The trials were done mainly on Sammar Bahisht Chaunsa mango variety. In ASLP2, the pruning and canopy management trials are continued on other varieties, especially Sindhri, Anwar Ratol and White Chaunsa. The lay out of the trials has been done, and the pruning and application of growth hormones completed. The trees are being managed with other inputs while data is being collected on different growth parameters.

Fine tuning on timing of Nitrogen application with different doses is also in progress at MRS, Shujabad, and data collection is in progress to enable recommendations when the trial is completed.
The research outcomes of ASLP1 are being demonstrated at different grower orchards in integrated research block sites. Twenty five sites were initially targeted for Punjab and a similar number for Sindh during ASLP2. These blocks have been planned to be established in the form of village or district clusters for easy management and to serve as demonstration blocks to adjacent or neighboring farms. The clusters have been identified and initiated in the Sindh province at districts Matiari, Tando Allah Yar and Mirpur Khas. Each of the clusters is made up of 5 mango orchards. Selection and establishment of these clusters is still in progress in the Punjab province because harvesting has just been completed. Following completion of the clusters, the pre harvest management protocols will be validated in research blocks for grower ready adoption. The ASLP Supply Chain project has linked up to these clusters from where they will source fruits for their domestic and export market trial consignments. The Social project has also been linked to undertake socio economic studies of the pro poor communities involved in these clusters.

Integrated strategies for the management of field diseases and pests of mango

During ASLP1, much of the emphasis on disease research was on the detection, epidemiology and management of the mango sudden death (MSD) disease. In ASLP2, the focus is on isolate characterization and evaluation of integrated disease management options for the management of MSD. Some control strategies for the mango malformation disease (MMD) are also being evaluated.

Several isolates of Ceratocystis fimbriata, the fungus causing MSD collected from the Punjab and Sindh provinces during ASLP1 are being characterized molecularly to determined if there any significant differences to back up the differences in symptom expression and disease development across locations. For this activity, the cultures have been purified and preserved first for morphological characterization based on isolates aggressiveness which will be followed by the molecular diversity study. This activity is part of a female student PhD research project from NARC University.

For the management options of MSD, new chemistry fungicides are being sourced and evaluated in comparison with earlier ones that were found to be effective on the disease. A macro infusion injection technique has been locally manufactured and will be used to evaluate effectiveness in delivery fungicides for the management of MSD on infected trees.

Sampling for MMD has also been carried out in Punjab and Sindh. The fungus Fusarium mangiferae has been consistently isolated from infected samples by the research team at NARC and pathogenicity tests have been conducted on greenhouse potted plants. Vegetative malformation appeared on the potted plants and the fungus F. mangiferae was re isolated, to confirm that this fungus is the predominant one responsible for this disease on mangoes in Pakistan..

During ASLP 1, a very comprehensive study was undertaken on the role of the bark beetle as a vector of the MSD pathogens as part of a PhD student project at BZU Multan. The same research team at BZU is now studying the role and management of the Cecid fly (mango midge). Surveys to record the different damage symptoms caused by mango midges have been completed and the identification of the midges on the basis of damage patterns has also been completed. For actual species identification the researcher team is currently linked with some foreign advanced labs to complete this activity.

Prevalence and impact of postharvest diseases

Mango postharvest diseases studies have not previously received the deserved attention in Pakistan. There was no activity on this during ASLP1. Feedback from experimental consignments of the value chain project during ASLP1 clearly established the need for investigations into postharvest diseases issues during ASLP2.

Initial activity was to identify the pathogens of postharvest rots of mango from some major markets. Target markets for the study included Multan, Shujabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. The idea was to record the incidence of these postharvest rots and trace back the orchards from where the fruits came from. The distance and time of travel, mode of transport and storage conditions were correlated with the postharvest rots incidences in the target markets. Anthracnose and Stem end rots were the major rots appearing on the fruits of all observed markets. Mixed infections of the rots were also observed in some fruits from Multan, Shujabad and Faisalabad. The fungi Colletotrichum sp., Botryodiplodia theobromae, Alternaria sp., and Aspergillus sp. were isolated with different frequencies from the collected fruits from different markets with different severity symptoms.

A similar study has been initiated by sampling fruits from well managed orchards vs poorly managed orchards. The samples have been processed and the data is being analyzed to deliver final outcomes of the study. This study has already identified capacity building issues with project staff for sample collection, handling and transporting to research laboratories.

The enhancement of extension and capacity building

The capacity building of mango growers, Field Assistants and the Agriculture Extension Officers is a target activity of ASLP2. Training activities have been undertaken in Punjab by the In Service Agriculture Training Institute (IATI), Rahim Yar Khan, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam and Agriculture Training Institute (ATI), Sakrand. More than 200 growers, 50 Field Assistants and 150 Agriculture Extension Officers have benefitted from these training activities that have focused mainly on canopy management, budding and grafting and identification of field diseases of mango.

The aim of HORT/2010/001 activities is to continue to develop and improve domestic and export value chains by
(i) delivering better quality fruit to consumers
(ii) developing and improving markets and
(iii) demonstrating value chain principles
(iv) with capacity building and delivering pro-poor benefits a central tenet and enabler
Based on this aim, the project has four objectives, each with associated activities for 2011 to 2012.
Objective 1: In collaboration with the pre-harvest component research team, to improve and maintain the quality and safety of Pakistan mangoes at all stages from harvest to the consumer in both domestic and export markets
Focus of activities: Orchard rating experiments have been carried out in consultation with the pre-harvest research team. Samples have been taken to evaluate the impact of overall cultural practices of the selected commercial mango orchards on fruit quality with special emphasis on postharvest disease development. Extensive work has been done to isolate and identify pathogens associated with postharvest diseases of mango fruit from different orchards. In-vitro studies on fungicide efficiency against these pathogens have also been conducted.
Three other experiments have been conducted from June 2011 to May 2012:
Irradiation studies: Optimisation of irradiation dose level for commercial mango and the effect of irradiation on quality and shelf life.
Ripening studies: Establishing the effects of gaseous ethylene and ripening conditions on fruit quality of mango
Disease management studies: Evaluation of new fungicides (Nativo, Cabriotop and Scholar) to control postharvest diseases.
Objective 2: To continue the development of existing domestic markets and selected export markets, using the results to inform quality improvement, value chain development and capacity building activities
Focus of activities: Domestic marketing activities have been carried out in 2012. Through working with growers, best practice mangoes have been displayed and retailed in Karachi. Costs and benefits have been documented; opportunities and constraints in supplying best practice mango to the domestic market have been identified.
Following the initial trial shipment to KL in 2010, a detailed examination, including a financial analysis of adopting ASLP 'best practices' and more extensive consumer surveys as well as possible mango by product market for Pakistan industry, was conducted by a group of UQ Agribusiness students in September and October 2011.
Two trial shipments to the Chinese market were carried out in July 2011. Fruit quality was monitored and issues in the chain identified.
A total of 58 people have been trained on sea-freight containerisation and mango postharvest handling for sea shipment in May and June 2012. This training laid the foundation for Pakistan sea shipments to EU market and possibly to the Chinese market in the future.
In order to develop the Chinese market, a very significant effort was made from Sept 2011 to June 2012 by the project team to prepare the documents required by Chinese authorities for Hot Water Treatment approval of on-farm packing houses. Through working with growers, Department of Plant Protection of Pakistan, a mango importer from China and PHDEC, video clips with supporting documentation have been sent to China for approval.
Objective 3: To work with a range of selected value chain participants, including smallholders, to create demonstration examples of the benefits of collaborative value chain management approaches
Focus of activities: The project facilitated the Sindh Mango Group (eight mango growers) to prepare a sea shipment of Sindhri mangoes to the EU market in 2012. This is the first mango grower group in Pakistan attempting to send large volumes of mango by sea to international markets. Intensive on-farm training for this group was conducted before fruit harvest in 2012, including group organization and management, packing house preparation and audit, and postharvest handling. The first sea shipment of mango from this group was sent to the Netherlands in June, 2012.
A scoping study on markets for value added mango products involving smallholders and women has been conducted through interviewing importers, mango processors, local extension workers, growers and government officials and researchers. It is recommended that only opportunity for these by products is in the domestic market due to the strict hygiene requirements in the international markets.
Objective 4: To work with universities, government agencies, institutions and commercial stakeholders to 1) improve the knowledge, resources and skills required to understand the value chain management approach to development, and 2) implement improved value chain management practices
Focus of activities: Mango marketing research training at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad was conducted in June 2011. A total of 23 people (4 women) from academia, provincial agriculture departments, PHDEC and industry participated.
Two post season workshops have been conducted to share the project findings including orchard ratings, postharvest issues, disease management and international market development with stakeholders. A total of 76 people participated. Through these workshops, participants have understood the problems existing in current Pakistan mango value chains and how to address these problems.
Packing house operation training has been conducted for growers and technicians in May 2012. Two project initiation workshops were conducted in June, 2012 in Sindh and Punjab. Participants came from universities, government agencies, institutions and commercial stakeholders and growers. Value chain research training for staff and postgraduates was conducted at UAF and Sindh Agriculture University in May and June, 2012.
In general, the project is progressing as planned. One challenge for the project is how to involve smallholders and women in mango value chains. Due to the variation in quality, the number of different varieties and the small volume of mangoes from each small farm, engaging them in international chains will be extremely difficult unless small growers can work as a group. Value added mango by- products could have potential for both women and smallholders, but focused on domestic market focus with the right products.

The aim of HORT/2010/001 activities is to continue to develop and improve domestic and export value chains by
(i) delivering better quality fruit to consumers
(ii) developing and improving markets and
(iii) demonstrating value chain principles
(iv) with capacity building and delivering pro-poor benefits a central tenet and enabler
Based on this aim, the project has four objectives, each with associated activities for 2011 to 2012.
Objective 1: In collaboration with the pre-harvest component research team, to improve and maintain the quality and safety of Pakistan mangoes at all stages from harvest to the consumer in both domestic and export markets
Focus of activities: Orchard rating experiments have been carried out in consultation with the pre-harvest research team. Samples have been taken to evaluate the impact of overall cultural practices of the selected commercial mango orchards on fruit quality with special emphasis on postharvest disease development. Extensive work has been done to isolate and identify pathogens associated with postharvest diseases of mango fruit from different orchards. In-vitro studies on fungicide efficiency against these pathogens have also been conducted.
Three other experiments have been conducted from June 2011 to May 2012:
Irradiation studies: Optimisation of irradiation dose level for commercial mango and the effect of irradiation on quality and shelf life.
Ripening studies: Establishing the effects of gaseous ethylene and ripening conditions on fruit quality of mango
Disease management studies: Evaluation of new fungicides (Nativo, Cabriotop and Scholar) to control postharvest diseases.
Objective 2: To continue the development of existing domestic markets and selected export markets, using the results to inform quality improvement, value chain development and capacity building activities
Focus of activities: Domestic marketing activities have been carried out in 2012. Through working with growers, best practice mangoes have been displayed and retailed in Karachi. Costs and benefits have been documented; opportunities and constraints in supplying best practice mango to the domestic market have been identified.
Following the initial trial shipment to KL in 2010, a detailed examination, including a financial analysis of adopting ASLP 'best practices' and more extensive consumer surveys as well as possible mango by product market for Pakistan industry, was conducted by a group of UQ Agribusiness students in September and October 2011.
Two trial shipments to the Chinese market were carried out in July 2011. Fruit quality was monitored and issues in the chain identified.
A total of 58 people have been trained on sea-freight containerisation and mango postharvest handling for sea shipment in May and June 2012. This training laid the foundation for Pakistan sea shipments to EU market and possibly to the Chinese market in the future.
In order to develop the Chinese market, a very significant effort was made from Sept 2011 to June 2012 by the project team to prepare the documents required by Chinese authorities for Hot Water Treatment approval of on-farm packing houses. Through working with growers, Department of Plant Protection of Pakistan, a mango importer from China and PHDEC, video clips with supporting documentation have been sent to China for approval.
Objective 3: To work with a range of selected value chain participants, including smallholders, to create demonstration examples of the benefits of collaborative value chain management approaches
Focus of activities: The project facilitated the Sindh Mango Group (eight mango growers) to prepare a sea shipment of Sindhri mangoes to the EU market in 2012. This is the first mango grower group in Pakistan attempting to send large volumes of mango by sea to international markets. Intensive on-farm training for this group was conducted before fruit harvest in 2012, including group organization and management, packing house preparation and audit, and postharvest handling. The first sea shipment of mango from this group was sent to the Netherlands in June, 2012.
A scoping study on markets for value added mango products involving smallholders and women has been conducted through interviewing importers, mango processors, local extension workers, growers and government officials and researchers. It is recommended that only opportunity for these by products is in the domestic market due to the strict hygiene requirements in the international markets.
Objective 4: To work with universities, government agencies, institutions and commercial stakeholders to 1) improve the knowledge, resources and skills required to understand the value chain management approach to development, and 2) implement improved value chain management practices
Focus of activities: Mango marketing research training at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad was conducted in June 2011. A total of 23 people (4 women) from academia, provincial agriculture departments, PHDEC and industry participated.
Two post season workshops have been conducted to share the project findings including orchard ratings, postharvest issues, disease management and international market development with stakeholders. A total of 76 people participated. Through these workshops, participants have understood the problems existing in current Pakistan mango value chains and how to address these problems.
Packing house operation training has been conducted for growers and technicians in May 2012. Two project initiation workshops were conducted in June, 2012 in Sindh and Punjab. Participants came from universities, government agencies, institutions and commercial stakeholders and growers. Value chain research training for staff and postgraduates was conducted at UAF and Sindh Agriculture University in May and June, 2012.
In general, the project is progressing as planned. One challenge for the project is how to involve smallholders and women in mango value chains. Due to the variation in quality, the number of different varieties and the small volume of mangoes from each small farm, engaging them in international chains will be extremely difficult unless small growers can work as a group. Value added mango by- products could have potential for both women and smallholders, but focused on domestic market focus with the right products.

Progress on this project has continued to address the problems caused by respiratory diseases of pigs, a major cause of economic losses to the pig industries of both the Philippines and Australia.
Over the period covered by this report, there have been activities that have involved the selected front-line Philippine diagnostic laboratory (the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory RADDL, San Fernando in Pampanga province), the field disease investigation staff in two Philippine provinces (Pampanga and Bulacan), the Philippine central reference laboratory (Philippine Animal Health Center), the regional University providing novel diagnostic technologies (Central Luzon State University) and the Bureau of Animal Industry (the group providing epidemiological expertise) with these activities being co-ordinated by the Philippines Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD). These Philippine based activities have been both supported and extended by the initiation of a detailed research program at the EcoSciences Precinct (Brisbane) that houses the laboratory shared by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) and the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) of the University of Queensland. Additional key expertise has been provided by staff from the Veterinary School at the Gatton Campus of University of Queensland (specifically in the areas of clinical medicine, epidemiology and virology).
Considerable activity and progress has been achieved in terms of setting up enhanced disease investigation procedures in the Philippines. These activities have involved strong collaborative links with the field staff from the Bulacan and Pampanga Provincial Veterinary Offices and the Australian team. New protocols for farm-based investigations, post mortems and lung scoring at slaughter have been established and training actively pursued (both in the Philippines and in Australia). The Philippines team has visited 17 farms (eight in Pampanga and nine in Bulacan) and 18 visits to slaughterhouses (eight in Pampanga and 10 in Bulacan). Training has also been extended to meat inspectors in the Pampanga area. Initial laboratory activities in the RADDL have also commenced with samples collected during the slaughterhouse visits being examined (three sites in Pampanga and four sites in Bulacan).
The important communication aspects of the project have also been a centre of activity in this period. A Project Advisory Committee has been formed and has already met. The Committee was formed after a stakeholder analysis had been completed. The Philippines team has been actively making stakeholders aware of the project - presentations have been made to the National Advisory Committee on Animal Disease Control and Emergencies and the annual consultation meeting of the Swine Prodcution Performance Project (a PCARRD project). As well, articles on the project have appeared in the PCARRD MONITOR newsletter as well as the PROPORK SWINE newsletter (an industry based newsletter). As well, fact sheets and brochures about the Project are currently being developed for dissemination to the commercial and backyard farms in the pilot areas. These materials will be produced in the English and Filipino languages. Other materials for the industry will be developed alongside the Project communication plan.

Progress on this project has continued to address the problems caused by respiratory diseases of pigs, a major cause of economic losses to the pig industries of both the Philippines and Australia.

Over the period covered by this report, there have been activities that have involved the selected front-line Philippine diagnostic laboratory (the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory RADDL, San Fernando in Pampanga province), the field disease investigation staff in two Philippine provinces (Pampanga and Bulacan), the Philippine central reference laboratory (Philippine Animal Health Center - PAHC), the regional University providing novel diagnostic technologies (Central Luzon State University) and the Bureau of Animal Industry (the group providing epidemiological expertise) with these activities being co-ordinated by the Philippines Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). These Philippine based activities have been both supported and extended by the initiation of a detailed research program at the EcoSciences Precinct (Brisbane) that houses the laboratory shared by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) and the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) of the University of Queensland. Additional key expertise has been provided by staff from the Veterinary School at the Gatton Campus of University of Queensland (specifically in the areas of clinical medicine, epidemiology and virology).

Considerable activity in the period covered by this report was invested in using a lung score system (established in Year 1) to identify pig farms with high lung scores. This lung score study was based on a systematic approach to quantify the extent and general nature of visible lung lesions in pigs at slaughter. The activity involved strong collaborative links with the field staff from the Bulacan and Pampanga Provincial Veterinary Offices and the Australian team. The data analysis to date has been based on 78 visits to 33 slaughter-houses that resulted in a total of 1,255 lungs being scored - with those lungs coming from 305 farms. The prevalence of farms with a high lung score (defined for this study as being farms with a mean lung score above the mean of all farms) was 30%. Compared with backyard farms, commercial farms were three times more likely to have a mean lung score higher than the overall mean lung score. A copy of the scientific paper describing this study is attached as Appendix 1.

Another key activity was a study that demonstrated the possibility of using a modification of the existing slaughterhouse information system to a system that could trace back slaughtered animals to the source farm, thus allowing the construction of a network of animal movement. Again this study involved strong collaborative links with the field staff from the Bulacan and Pampanga Provincial Veterinary Offices and the Australian team. The work showed the power of this type of analysis to identify the key influences on pig movement, a major need in any animal disease program. A copy of the scientific paper describing this study is attached as Appendix 2.

The lung score study provided samples that were used in establishing the standard operating protocols for bacterial identification at the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in San Fernando. Using the new project developed protocols, a range of pathogens have been identified in these lung samples, including Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Work on this adoption of protocols was supported by the provision of quality control cultures by the Australian research team. An example of a Project SOP for a key conventional biochemical test is provided in Appendix 3.

Work on the development of a novel DNA-based diagnostic assay for three key pathogens was the focus of the involvement of Central Luzon State University. With access to quality control reagents provided by the Australian team, an assay for the detection of Haemophilus parasuis has been developed. A second assay - this targeting Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae - is now underway. These assays are all based on low cost technology that will be sustainable in the future beyond the life of the project.

At PAHC, work has concentrated on the development of diagnostic tools for porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2). PAHC has developed a rapid molecular tool for PCV-2. As well, a lower cost alternative test (an immuno-histochemistry assay) is being developed. This second assay has required the training of project staff at laboratory in Perth, Western Australia.

The important communication aspects of the project have also been a centre of activity in this period. The Project Advisory Committee met during the year, with that meeting allowing input from both the Philippines and the Australian teams. The Project Communication Officer has undertaken a research study in which 428 respondents that covered all facets of the industry (commercial farmers, backyard farmers, livestock and meat inspectors, veterinarians, laboratory diagnosticians, pharmaceutical representatives, slaughterhouse operators and livestock traders) were surveyed. The results of this study are now being used to develop effective targeted communication mechanisms.

While early in the project, there are clear signs of the impact of this project already emerging. The improved, formalised procedures for on-farm disease investigations, field post-mortems, lung scoring at the slaughterhouse and the new laboratory assays have been recognised by the Philippines pig industry and there is considerable interest in seeing the protocols and activities spread to areas outside the reach of the current project.