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Lucy Gregg completed

Key points

• AUSVEG Board Members and State Member Organisation leaders learnt about the Australian Biosecurity System and how emergency plant pest responses are managed.
• AUSVEG is a signatory to the EPPRD and member of Plant Health Australia on behalf of growers of 32 vegetable crops.
• Biosecurity is inextricably linked to trade and market access so is a cornerstone of any industry that aims to be profitable and sustainable. A biosecurity focus operating throughout the industry also provides a strong basis for market access negotiations and prioritisation.
• If you see anything unusual, report it as soon as possible to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881. Your call will automatically be directed to the relevant state or territory biosecurity agency.

As a signatory to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) and member of Plant Health Australia on behalf of vegetable growers, AUSVEG has a number of obligations that it needs to fulfil. Included in these are ensuring staff are trained in biosecurity matters around the EPPRD and able to participate in decision-making and response activities when a new pest arrives.

Plant Health Australia provides AUSVEG preparedness training for emergency plant pests

In October 2024, AUSVEG Board Directors and State Member Organisation leaders undertook a training session on the Australian biosecurity system and how emergency plant pest responses are managed under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD).

Led by Lily McDonald, A/Coordinator Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed at Plant Health Australia, attendees discussed the importance of reporting suspect exotic pests and diseases early, who is involved in decision making before and during a response, how costs are calculated and shared amongst affected parties, and the importance of communicating with industry.

The exotic pest brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) was used as an example of what happens when a pest is found. This article provides an overview of the training that was delivered, and links to where you can find more information and training.

What are the arrangements when a new plant pest or pathogen is found?

Australia’s biosecurity system is robust, but not infallible. When a new plant pest or pathogen is found, the activities that follow are managed through a partnership agreement between the Australian government, state and territory governments, national plant industry bodies and Plant Health Australia. These parties are signatories to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. Plant Health Australia is the custodian.

The EPPRD outlines the decision-making and cost-sharing arrangements to enable a coordinated, effective and efficient response when exotic insects, mites, pathogens (disease), nematodes and snails that have potential to impact on our crop, bee, and edible fungi industries arrive in Australia. It also ensures accountability and transparency in decision making. As a signatory to the EPPRD, AUSVEG can take part in the decision-making when a pest or pathogen that impacts on vegetables, potatoes or onions is reported.

What is an Emergency Plant Pest?

An Emergency Plant Pest (EPP) is any pest or pathogen that is not established in Australia with the potential to cause significant damage across Australia’s primary production, environmental or amenity landscapes. This is also relevant for pests and diseases that may affect European honey bees (Apis mellifera), which many of Australia’s plant industries rely on for pollination of different plants.

Determining whether a pest or disease is an EPP is important, as the EPPRD is only applied where the pest or disease has been identified as an EPP. If an exotic pest doesn’t meet the criteria of an EPP it doesn’t signify inaction, allowing it to become established.

The state or territory where the pest is detected may work with their industries to eradicate the pest in order to retain their proof of freedom for market access. However, this work is not carried out under a nationally coordinated response plan.

For an exotic pest or disease to be identified as an EPP, it must have a nationally significant impact, whether economically or environmentally, and must also meet one or more of the following criteria:
a. A known plant pest not previously detected (or previously eradicated) in Australia.
b. A variant form of an established plant pest that can be distinguished by appropriate investigative and diagnostic methods.
c. A newly identified plant pest of unknown or uncertain origin.
d. A plant pest already found in Australia that:

• is restricted to a defined area through regulatory measures to prevent further spread of the pest; and
• has been detected outside the defined area; and
• is not a native of Australia; and
• is not the subject of any instrument for management which is agreed to be effective risk mitigation and management at a national level.

Report anything unusual

All states and territories have a legal obligation requiring potential biosecurity risks to be reported as soon as possible. The Exotic Plant Pest Hotline (1800 084 881) will link you directly to the state or territory agriculture department in the region you are calling from and they will advise you on the next steps. These steps may include submitting photos, details of the site where the pest was found and a sample to the laboratory for diagnostics. Reporting early is critical in increasing our chance of eradication and supporting a return to business as usual as quickly as possible.

What happens when you call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline

When you call the hotline, your report will generally be categorised based on the information you provide. You may receive a follow-up call to provide further details, or biosecurity staff may request to visit your property. All reports are investigated, and it is far better to have a false alarm than a failure to identify a serious plant pest or disease. If there is a reasonable suspicion that the plant pest or disease you reported is of concern, the lead agency will:

• In consultation with the property owner, conduct trace forward and trace back to determine where the pest came from and where it may have travelled to.
• Engage with their state counterparts and peak plant industry bodies, to keep them updated and seek their advice.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE A REPORT

It may take time to correctly diagnose the pest or disease and determine whether control actions are needed and this may cause some uncertainty and angst, but the biosecurity agency will work with you to minimise disruption. Throughout these investigations (and the duration of a response) your personal information, including your address, remains confidential.

What you can do now:

• Familiarise yourself with the high-priority pests for the crops that you grow.
• Visit the Biosecurity page on the AUSVEG website
• Visit Plant Health Australia’s resource centre
• Prepare a biosecurity plan for your property