Prompt reporting is vital to minimise the long-term impact of exotic pests on your farm and the grains industry as a whole.
Australia has one of the strictest border control systems in the world but there is always the chance that an exotic pest will make it into the country. The numbers of passengers and imported goods is increasing, and a serious exotic pest of the grains industry might only be a day’s flight away.
Calls to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline are confidential. They will be forwarded to an experienced person in your state or territory government, who will ask some questions and arrange for an assessment of what you’ve found. If the hotline in your state operates only during business hours, leave your full contact information and a brief description of the issue and your call will be followed up as soon as possible.
Do not send samples until you have received advice on the correct protocol for sampling, packaging, handling and transport to the laboratory assigned for diagnosis.
If you find an unusual plant pest or disease, take the following precautions to contain it and protect other parts of your farm:
• Mark the site and limit access to the area.
• Do not touch, move, or transport affected plant material.
• Wash hands, clothes and footwear that have been in contact with affected plant material or soil.
• Call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881, report it to your state or territory department of agriculture, or speak to your local agronomist.
• Restrict the movement of people, stock and equipment near the affected area.
• Restrict operations in the area while waiting for identification.
Grain growers have an important role to play in reporting any unusual pests or diseases immediately to minimise any potential damage. All reports will be checked and treated confidentially.
Crop varieties that are rated as resistant to particular pathogens can prove sensitive to that pathogen in time. It might be that the pathogen has evolved to overcome resistance, or it could be a new strain that has entered Australia.
If the variety that you planted was rated as resistant but becomes infected you should report it immediately.
