Protect your property from biosecurity threats
| Primefact number: 1314 Edition: 2nd Published: July 2017 Author: Plant Biosecurity & Product Integrity |
Six easy ways to protect your property and industry from exotic plant pests.
An exotic plant pest is a disease causing organism or an invertebrate not present in New South Wales which threatens agricultural production, forestry, native and amenity plants or the environment.
Be aware and act early. As a landholder or primary producer you have an important role to play in protecting your property and industry from biosecurity threats. Six simple precautions you can take to reduce the risk of pests and diseases entering and establishing on your property are:
Be aware of biosecurity threats
Make sure you, your family and your employees are familiar with the most important biosecurity threats to the plants that you grow.
Farm biosecurity manuals, industry biosecurity plans and specific leaflets which provide information on biosecurity threats are available from Plant Health Australia, Farm Biosecurity and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Use clean planting material
Ensure all planting material, propagation material and other farm inputs such as compost, mulch, fertilisers and soil are pest, disease and weed free.
Always source planting and propagation materials of a known high health status from reputable suppliers.
Keep records of what your bring onto your property.
Keep it clean
Restrict visitor vehicle access and movement on your property to protect your production areas.
Ensure all employees and visitors are instructed in and adhere to your business management hygiene requirements.
Clean your equipment regularly during the year to ensure pests and diseases don’t carry over from one season to the next.
Make sure contracted and shared equipment and machinery is thoroughly cleaned before it enters your property and clean it again before it leaves.
Check your crop
Be aware of the common pests and diseases that occur on your plants.
Checking your plants regularly will help you and your employees notice any new or unusual symptoms and pests.
Keep records of your surveillance inspections on your crops and plants.
Abide by the law
Be aware of legislative regulations established to protect plant industries in New South Wales from biosecurity threats.
Some industries that have regulations are bananas, citrus, grapes, potatoes and rice.
Some areas within New South Wales that have regulations are the Queensland Fruit Fly Control Zone (previously known as the Pest Free Area), the Rice Biosecurity Zone, the Phylloxera Exclusion Zone, the Seed Potato Protected Area and the Banana Bunchy Top Virus Control Zone.
Report anything unusual
If you suspect a new pest or disease – report it immediately.
Call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
Take photos not samples to minimise the risk of spreading the pest or disease
Email clear photos with a brief description and your contact details to biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au
