Economy
TFGA warns of NZ pest flying in
31 March 2011
TFGA warns of NZ pest flying in
The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association today urged farmers to be on the look out for a New Zealand potato, tomato and capsicum pest, the tomato/potato psyllid, that could have been blown here by recent gale force easterly winds.
“Not only is it harmful to those vegetables, it also carries the bacterium that causes zebra chip in potatoes,” TFGA chief executive Jan Davis said today.
“The risk is real. The lettuce aphid is thought to have reached Tasmania from New Zealand by the same method. We don’t want the psyllid becoming a problem here. It could wreak havoc with our crops, particularly potatoes.”
Anyone believing they detect the psyllid should contact DPIPWE at:
• Tel 1800 084 881
• e-mail Biosecurity.planthealth@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
• Photographs should be sent to Lionel.Hill@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
Jan Davis http://www.tfga.com.au/