Tasmanian farmers nervous on biosecurity

Myrtle rust. Pic HERE

The discovery for the first time in Victoria of the plant pathogen myrtle rust should sound alarm bells throughout Tasmania, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis said today.

First discovered in NSW in 2010, the devastating disease is spreading rapidly through plants in the Myrtaceae family, which includes eucalyptus and many other Australian native species. It cannot be eradicated once it is established.

“It means it’s getting ever closer to our native forests here,” Ms Davis said.

“It could be the worst biosecurity risk we’ve seen in Tasmania – and young eucalypts in our forests may be the most in danger. But not only that, the native scenery, and the parks and gardens that are so much a part of what makes Tasmania unique are also at risk.

“We know that the pathogen moves around easily in the air, on infected plants and on almost anything that comes into contact with infected plants, including non-host plants, people and vehicles. That makes it insidious,” she said.

Myrtle rust is just one of the biosecurity risks facing Tasmania every day. Last week, it was revealed that a virus is killing pigeons in and around Melbourne. Although there is no evidence of it in other bird species, it is closely related to Newcastle disease in poultry and there is a risk it could mutate and spread to chickens.

“Farmers back the Tasmanian Government all the way in their decision to prevent the import of apples from New Zealand. If permitted, this would bring unacceptable risks of pests and diseases that can damage not only commercial farms and orchards, but also destroy much-loved plants in urban parks and gardens,” Ms Davis said.

“Tasmania is an island state and our isolation and natural defences are invaluable in the never-ending campaign to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

“But we can’t be complacent,” Ms Davis said.

“At the moment, we understand fewer than one in three flights is subject to quarantine checks, and 60 per cent of all containers coming into the state are not inspected at all. Inspecting the odd car or container at the ports or relying on sniffer dogs at the airports is simply too risky.

“It is imperative we step up our biosecurity and quarantine enforcement measures at ports and airports. In biosecurity matters, we must adopt the precautionary principle, because it’s too late if things go wrong.”