Pest and disease ID

This programme is focused on the sciences relating to plant pest and disease identification and control. The programme's research work supports both the development of plant health policy and Fera's Plant Health and Seeds Inspectors. Vital to both is the drive to develop faster and more accurate frontline in-the-field diagnosis techniques.

The programme also runs the Plant Clinic which provides pest and disease diagnostic services to farmers, growers and horticulturalists.

Scientists in this area include bacteriologists, entomologists, mycologists, nematologists, molecular biologists and virologists.

Pest and Disease ID team

Team role:

We provide a multidisciplinary pest and disease identification service for the inspection teams, including the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectors, within Fera and other commercial customers, from both the UK and overseas. The team is managed through a system of sub-teams, each based on a different scientific discipline (bacteriology, entomology, mycology & seed health, nematology, molecular biology and virology) and led by experienced specialists in each field. The scientific sub-teams work closely together and are supported by a number of centralised facilities: the Molecular Technology Unit (MTU), glasshouses and business support.

Science themes

• To deliver a comprehensive service for the diagnosis and identification of plant pests and diseases, using modern and traditional techniques
• To provide a high quality service through a commitment to quality assurance and accreditation to international recognised standards (e.g. ISO 17025 & 9001, ISTA)
• As a national reference laboratory, to undertake the development and maintenance of invertebrate and pathogen collections
• To manage state-of-the-art facilities, enabling efficient service delivery and ensuring effective contingency response for outbreaks of quarantine plant health organisms
• By working with consultant colleagues, to provide accurate and reliable scientific information to assist in the development of advice to policy and commercial customers
• Through collaboration with R&D teams at Fera and beyond, to actively participate in the development and technology transfer of new methods for the rapid and reliable diagnosis and identification of pest and diseases
• To actively contribute to plant health training and publicity, both within the UK and overseas

Key team members

• John Elphinstone - Sub Team Leader Bacteriology
• Charles Lane - Sub Team Leader Mycology
• Paul Beales - Senior Mycologist
• Kelvin Hughes - Senior Seed Pathologist
• Sue Hockland - Sub Team Leader Nematology
• Dom Collins - Sub Team Leader Entomology
• Chris Malumphy - Senior Entomologist
• Adrian Fox - Sub Team Leader Virology
• Rebecca Weekes - Sub Team Leader Molecular Technology Unit