Mr. Rob De Hayr is the Pillar 5 Chair for the Pacific region of the Regional Soil Laboratory Network for the Pacific (SPACNET). The summary discusses: 1) SPACNET and the Australasian Soil & Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) were previous networks that supported soil laboratories in the region but ASPAC is now the active network. 2) ASPAC works to promote excellence in soil and plant analysis through training, research, and sharing best practices. It also coordinates proficiency testing and publishing guidance documents. 3) Reforming SPACNET is an option being considered to better support Pacific region laboratories, which could work with ASPAC for quality assurance/control. Determining

1. Mr. Rob De Hayr
Pillar 5 Chair for the Pacific region
Regional Soil Laboratory Network for
the Pacific
(SPACNET)

2. Current and past networks in the
region
Australasian Soil & Plant Analysis Council
•not for profit international organisation, funded
by membership fees. (Companies, individuals and
students)
•Overseen by Executive Committee od
Jurisdictional representatives
Network activities were funded by the
New Zealand Agency for International Development
(NZAID) through Landcare Research NZ
Ltd who provided consultancy services for
the Network
Ended 2008

3. Geographic coverage
Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France DOMTOM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands,
Micronesia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon
Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, USA Pacific island, Vanuatu
ASPAC members
SPACNET members
Australia
38 commercial
9 government
9 university
New Zealand
6 commercial
1 government
1 university
Other 5 (+ 5 SEALNET)
Fiji
Institute of Applied Science
Sugarcane Research Centre
Agricultural Chemistry Lab
Papua New Guinea
NAL (Unitech)
NARI Chemistry
Tonga
MAF Research & Extension
Samoa
University of South Pacific
New Zealand
Landcare Research
Non-Active
MAF analytical Lab - Solomon Is
CIRAD – Nouvelle Caledonie
Dept of Agriculture – Timor Leste

4. • Provide a national and international focus for promoting
excellence in all aspects of soil and plant tissue analysis.
• Encourage and promote the adoption of preferred methods
and protocols used in soil and plant tissue analysis within
Australasia.
• Facilitate national and international communication
• Stimulate training, research and development in soil and
plant tissue analysis.
http://www.aspac-australasia.com/
ASPAC objectives

5. ASPAC promotes the adoption of:
•Appropriate field sampling protocols.
•Uniform and reliable soil and plant analytical methods.
•Sound interpretation guidelines.
•Reliable and appropriate advice to clients.
http://www.aspac-australasia.com/

6. • Conducts soil and plant Inter-Laboratory Proficiency
Programs (Global Proficiency). Laboratory Certification
• Offers an annual Study Travel Award to attend
conferences.
• Publishes quarterly(ish) newsletters for members.
• Sponsors workshops and conferences to facilitate the
sharing of knowledge and expertise.
• “Reddit” forum through website – discussion and
advice
http://www.aspac-australasia.com/
ASPAC activity

7. ASPAC publications

8. • Survey of all laboratories to establish their capabilities and needs;
• A number of targeted training courses for both laboratory managers and
technicians on various QA and methodology topics;
• Technician secondments for customised training;
• Provision of recommended methods manuals (two editions) and generic
QA (two editions) manuals, safety manuals and interpretation manuals;
• Website for communication both within and outside the network;
• Support for network members to attend international conferences in the
region
• (Laboratory Managers’ meetings coordinated with these were possible);
and
• Sample exchange programme through ASPAC ILPP.
http://www.spacnet.info/index.asp
Previous activity

9. • Guide To Interpretation Of Agricultural Sample Analysis
Results - soil, plant & irrigation water (2003)
• Generic Quality Assurance Manual for Soil and Plant
Laboratories - 2nd edition (2003)
• Generic Laboratory Safety Manual
• Generic Quality Assurance Manual for Soil and Plant
Laboratories – 3rd edition (2007)
• Recommended Methods for Soil, Plant and Water Analysis
– 3rd edition (2008)
http://www.spacnet.info/index.asp
Documents

10. Options going forward
1. South Pacific labs join ASPAC
2. South Pacific labs reform SPACNET
and only use ASPAC ILPP for QA/QC
Where does the soil doctor program fit
(Tonga, Kiribati, Marshall Is and Fiji) ?

11. Challenges

12. GLOSOLAN Model
GLOSOLAN
RESOLAN
National Reference
Laboratory
National Laboratory Network

13. Possible Pacific Model
Jurisdictional
Representatives
GLOSOLAN
ASPAC
Regional Laboratories

14. • Contact all former SPACNET laboratories to
gauge interest (engage NZ)
Expected launch of the network and
work plan
the way forward
• Findchampion (administration and secretariat)
• Meet to establish governance and structure
• Develop implementation plan and budgets
• Source funding

15. Expected launch of the network and
work plan

16. Thanks for your attention