Pest and Disease Identification

Mission and objectives

We provide a multidisciplinary pest and disease identification service for Defra, via it's Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (PHSI) 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 CSL 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

Team members

• Rick Mumford  |  Team Leader
• 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
• Anna Skelton  |  Sub Team Leader Virology
• Rebecca Weekes  |  Sub Team Leader Molecular Technology Unit