FUSCOM has always been an excellent means to encourage collaboration between research groups within Australia and communicate research activities to various groups. But one of the greatest assets of this meeting is the discussions on where there are gaps in our knowledge and what research needs to be conducted to address these issues. For example, this year renifonn nematode was detected in cotton and was determined to be widespread in Theodore. The cotton industry has never faced this issue before. Verticillium wilt in recent years has become increasing1y more severe and the possibility that new strains are present was raised. Boll rots are increasing in incidence and severity in Central Queensland. New projects funded by CRDC are commencing to research these new issues, however to assist in tackling these problems, collaboration with international researchers who have experienced these issues, would benefit Australian research.

It may be difficult due to Government policy on international travel and expensive, for pathologists from Australia to travel overseas to meet with experts on reniform nematode, verticillium wilt, boll rots, viruses etc. However, it would be possible to invite four experts from overseas to attend an International FUSCOM workshop to address very specific pathology issues current in Australian cotton.

The workshop will be held over two and a half days with focussed presentations from international guests and Australian pathologists targeting current pathology issues and potential future issues. Four international pathologists will be invited to cover the breadth of current RD&E activity relating to cotton pathology (including nematodes). The workshop will follow a similar format to previous FUSCOM workshops, however with a more targeted approach. The workshop will also provide for informal interaction at the welcome reception and in the evenings.

The aim of this workshop is to create and facilitate opportunities for national and international RD&E exchange. There will also be opportunities for participants to liaise with international guests before and after the workshop.

A pre-workshop tour of cotton growing regions will also take place, to enable our international guests to visit growers to get a better understanding of our farming practices and problems which will be invaluable to assist our guests to better address management strategies that suit our cropping systems.