20th Farm Biosecurity News
Focusing on: Screw Worm Fly
It’s the season to be alert: with the monsoon rains comes increasing risk of Screw Worm Fly moving into Australian territory.
Screw Worm Fly is seen as the pest that most threatens livestock, native animals and birds, pets, and public health right across northern Australia.
Screw worm fly infection in a dog in PNG
Screw Worm Fly could arrive as an adult fly via a storm front or on a boat, or as maggots in an existing wound from the countries to our north –
So far, we’ve been lucky, according to Principal Biosecurity Officer with Biosecurity Queensland, Robert Hedlefs.
“As the flies can disperse up to 100 km, and as they exist at variable densities in coastal areas of PNG that are within 5 kilometres of Australian Territory, it’s a case of when, not if.”
Recognising this, a national Screw Worm Fly Preparedness Strategy has been in place since September 2004; it focuses on constant surveillance, early detection and quick reportage.
The flies can complete their life cycle and build-up numbers rapidly - each female can lay 200 eggs every day for at least three weeks to ‘give’ a minimum 4,200 eggs. It’s this population explosion capacity and an ability to establish an over-winter colony that makes early detection the key.
If an animal is suspected to have Screw Worm Fly, it should be isolated immediately, and the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline - 1800 675 888 – should be called; or contact a local vet or government animal health officer.
Authorities will need to examine the maggots to ensure they are not Screw Worm Fly. Don’t forget to check other animals, working dogs, domestic pets and co-workers.
Keeping citrus pests and diseases out…
With an aim of assisting the citrus industry prepare for biosecurity threats, a new Orchard Biosecurity Manual and an updated Citrus Industry Biosecurity Plan were launched at the recent national citrus conference in Mildura.
The manual is designed to help growers protect their orchards by regularly checking plant material, making workers aware of biosecurity measures and cleaning vehicles and equipment.
While the 2004 outbreak of citrus canker in central Queensland remains a key topic, conference delegates were warned the industry is vulnerable to an even more devastating disease, huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening.
HLB infected citrus
A highly destructive bacterial disease, it is transmitted by psyllid insects or by using contaminated grafting material, and it cannot be treated or cured, dramatically affecting productivity and killing trees within a few years.
Citrus Australia technical adviser Pat Barkley said the psyllid vector and HLB, which is devastating citrus industries in Brazil and Florida, had been found in East Timor, Indonesia and northern Papua New Guinea.
"Finding it early is important. Awareness is the key to eradication," she said.
AQIS Biosecurity Services Group plant biosecurity general manager, Louise van Meuers, said the likelihood of psyllids on fruit imported from California was low but the Federal Government had imposed emergency measures since the discovery of the insects in four countries in the past year.
"We have AQIS inspectors in the US, where the season is about to start," she said.
For more information on the Farm Biosecurity program visit www.farmbiosecurity.com.au.
Developing issues and trends
Pleasing response to coastal exotic disease survey
BIOSECURITY Queensland veterinary officers involved in a telephone survey of Queensland cattle producers are impressed with the level of awareness of the threat from screw worm fly.
Senior veterinary officer Dr David Pitt said the survey was launched in August 2009 as part of an Australian Biosecurity CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) project, which targeted the coastline from Rockhampton to the Northern Territory border.
“Our officers have greatly appreciated the cooperation of the 243 respondents representing stock numbers from two to 50,000 head, who were selected at random to participate in the 10 minute questionnaire,” Dr Pitt said.
“Screw worm fly is endemic in neighbouring countries so it was gratifying to learn that more than 70 per cent of the producers surveyed are well aware of the immediate threat.
The survey will help identify how and where the screw work fly risk is greatest. Dr Pitt said analysis of the survey results was underway and should be finalised early next year to progress proposed extension programs.
Poster puts pests in peril
The nursery and garden industry is the most diverse plant industry in Australia, covering propagation stock, bedding plants, bulbs and seeds, indoor plants, trees and shrubs. The industry has an annual production value of around $1.2 billion and also supports a number of other plant production sectors in Australia, including cut flower production and forestry.
The Nursery and Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) is sensitive to the risks posed by exotic pests to its own members and to Australian agriculture more broadly. With a plan to help educate nursery owners and staff about what to look for, NGIA approached Plant Health Australia to develop a priority pest poster.
NGIA will shortly distribute copies of the priority pest poster to its members. Until then, the poster is available to download from the Plant Health Australia website at http://www.phau.com.au/index.cfm?objectid=56547079-D8A5-9C78-C2E3FB24155327BC.
Restrictions on canola exports to China
China's quarantine authority now require importers of canola from Canada and Australia apply for import permits before signing contracts, to prevent blackleg disease spreading to China's domestic crop.
All canola cargoes from the two countries must carry a certificate from quarantine authorities in these two countries assuring the cargoes have been tested for blackleg disease.
See: http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/food/100198070-1-update-1-china-quarantine-asks-import.html
Think twice about new crops for biofuels
Delegates at a biosecurity conference in Canberra were advised that cropping for biofuels could threaten human health as well as the environment.
The Biosecurity in the New Bio-economy symposium discussed the potential of failed crop species to become invasive weeds, as well as the risks to people from allergens or toxins, and the introduction of pests.
See: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/19/2748152.htm?section=business
Biosecurity developments and member news
Ag shows and biosecurity
The Federal Council of Agricultural Societies has produced some updated livestock health declaration forms, and show and exhibition venue audit forms.
If you are involved in shows, events or field days where livestock are brought in, this will be of interest to you, as they are important points where biosecurity issues can arise (as proven with the Equine Influenza outbreak in NSW of 2007). The forms are available at http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/farm-biosecurity/toolkit.cfm.
Hobby farmers
A range of materials for use in encouraging hobby farmers to provide good welfare for their animals has been published by Tasmania’s DPIW. See: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/hobbyfarmers
It includes tips and techniques and advanced husbandry practises on topics such as feeding, animal health and nutrition matters. Barry Calderbank, Communications - Biosecurity and Product Integrity, DPIW Hobart says he’ll also be preparing a new horse welfare guidelines document shortly.
Simulation: Foot and Mouth Disease
Victorian DPI staff have tested their preparedness and response to a simulated outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the Goulburn Valley.
The training exercise, code-named DIVA (distinguishing infected from vaccinated animals), involved more than 150 professionals. The DIVA scenario had new issues and problems surfacing every few hours. Victoria does two outbreak simulations every year.
See: http://www.countrynews.com.au/story.asp?TakeNo=200911161716387
Upcoming event reminder:
Global Biosecurity 2010 - The AB-CRC, the CRC for Plant Biosecurity and the Invasive Animals CRC, are organising a conference on Global Biosecurity at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre from 28 February to 3 March, 2010.
The event will provide an opportunity for governments, industries and organisations to explore:
- the drivers behind biosecurity
- understanding risks to address biosecurity issues
- accessing the right information at the right time
- policy, regulation and operation procedures
See: www.globalbiosecurity2010.com
Canada Mounts Farm Food Safety Campaign
An awareness campaign focused on key farm management practices that will help keep animals healthy and safeguard the food supply is underway in
See: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2009/11/canada-mounts-campaign-for-farm-food-safety/
Farm Biosecurity Weekly Media Snapshot
Local news…
More Asian honey bee infestations…
Biosecurity Queensland has now found more than 50 asian honey bee infestations in far north Queensland. The pest bees were first found in a yacht in Cairns over two years ago.
The pest bee is known to carry a mite that has the potential to wipe out hives, but it has not yet been detected in Australia; authorities have just discovered a 53rd nest, this time at Yarrabah, south of Cairns.
See: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/18/2745877.htm
Citrus canker…
The Weekly Times reports that: the 2004 outbreak of citrus canker in central Queensland convinced the industry of the importance of biosecurity.
The disease cost growers more than $100 million, with 490,000 commercial trees, 4000 backyard trees and 150,000 native citrus trees bulldozed and burned as part of the eradication program.
See: http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/11/18/133335_horticulture.html
Around the world….
New Zealand confronts USA’s didymo algae…
Five years since didymo was officially discovered in New Zealand, the invasive alga has spread rapidly through the
Besides its aesthetic impact - it's not called "rock snot" for nothing - the cost to the NZ economy, including the loss of commercial eel fisheries, damage to water supplies, biodiversity values and tourism, is estimated at up to $285 million over the next six years.
See: http://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/80926/brown-plague-didymo
NZ chips, beached as?...
Potato processors in New Zealand are considering importing potatoes to make into french fries, because much of the local crop has been damaged by an insect.
See: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/11/17/1245d3e5c16c
You are receiving this email because you subscribed to receive the Farm Biosecurity Media Snapshot. To subscribe or unsubscribe to Farm Biosecurity Media Snapshots or the Farm Biosecurity News, please email Thea McNaught-Reynolds thea@farmbiosecurity.com.au or Jim McGrath jim@farmbiosecurity.com.au
For more information on Farm Biosecurity visit www.farmbiosecurity.com.au