Welcome to the April Farm Biosecurity Newsletter!
It never rains, it pours!
It’s been a busy period on the biosecurity front of late, with several real challenges in our plant industries, and an FMD Symposium focusing our animal health specialist’s attention.
Our newsletter highlights some of the key recent events.
Focusing on: FMD - our biggest livestock disease risk
International scientists, industry experts and policy makers gathered recently at the FMD 2010 Symposium in Melbourne to canvass a range of issues, including the use of vaccination options, scientific developments, and how latest global outbreaks were or are being managed.
The contribution of the experts from 29 countries was invaluable
.
FMD remains the biggest biosecurity threat to Australia’s livestock industries: the economic cost of an FMD outbreak in Australia has been estimated at $8-16 billion.
And recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Japan and Korea serve as a reminder of just how lucky Australia is in not having to regularly deal with the virus. However, it’s much, much more than luck. Stringent border quarantine, high biosecurity awareness, in-depth research and comprehensive preparedness underpin Australia’s continuing FMD-free status.
The symposium reinforced the need for all governments to at least maintain their investment in biosecurity. There are multiple serotypes globally and the ever increasing rate of movement of people and goods around the globe means FMD preparedness is essential.
Attendees noted that there is a global trend towards using vaccination as a cornerstone of an FMD response. To date, Australia’s response plans have emphasised ‘slaughter out’ and movement control as the main strategies to eradicate. Vaccination has been intended almost as a last resort because of the difficulty in regaining export markets following eradication using vaccination. Freedom from FMD is perceived to take longer to demonstrate if vaccination has been used to eradicate the outbreak, even with improved vaccines that allow testing to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals.
Despite this, there is recognition that mass destocking may not necessarily be the most acceptable option during a large scale response and that vaccination will have a role to play in managing an outbreak involving large numbers of infected and at-risk livestock.
Overall, whilst further discussions will be required to ensure that Australia’s response planning is as sound as possible, the FMD Symposium highlighted areas for further attention.
Australia’s FMD response policy is the AUSVETPLAN: http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au
This policy is being updated, taking into account the valuable exchange of expert advice and experience from the FMD Symposium. Although we hope this disease never enters our shores, the benefit of this recent exchange of information better equips Australian personnel to ensure we remain response ready.
Developing issues and trends
Biosecurity key to managing mealy bug outbreak
An outbreak of an exotic species of mealybug in Queensland have cotton growers and authorities on alert for further infestations of the damaging pest.
Biosecurity Queensland, confirmed the infestations of the exotic mealybug species, commonly known as the Solenopsis mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis), and has found it on 26 farms in the Emerald irrigation area.
Maurie Conway, Principal Technical Officer with the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), says a recent industry survey revealed that infestations occur in hot spots.
Mr Conway says 53 hectares on 26 farms across the nearly 17,000ha of irrigated cotton in the Emerald irrigation area has been affected.
“What these numbers don’t reveal is the enormous cost involved in both controlling and managing the pest on infected farms and the huge cost of ensuring the insects are kept off farms that are still clean,” Mr Conway says.
If you see anything unusual on your property call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on
1800 084 881.
Kate Charleston, DEEDI Development Extension Officer, says mealybugs impair crop growth and reduce the end-product quality of cotton. She says key reasons for the fast spread and difficulty in controlling this pest include a waxy coating that protects it from insecticides and natural mortality factors.
“They also have a high reproductive rate and the ability to hide in soil cracks and crevices.
“They are spread through natural carriers such as raw cotton seeds, wind, water, rain, birds and animals, as well as humans and farm equipment.”
“Symptoms of plants infested during the vegetative phase include distorted and bushy shoots, crinkled and/or twisted and bunchy leaves, and stunted plants that dry completely in severe cases,” Ms Charleston says.
“Symptoms of late season infestations during the reproductive crop stage include fewer, smaller and deformed bolls, reduced plant vigour, and early crop senescence.”
“From a biosecurity perspective, the main priority at this point is to try and limit further spread of the mealybug from and within the Emerald and Burdekin areas,” Ms Charleston says.
There are no insecticides registered for the control of mealybugs in cotton, however there are a number of management options that can reduce infestation levels and the overall impact of this pest on cotton production.
Ms Charleston says mealybugs have the ability to multiply on different hosts and may initially build up on weeds before migrating to cotton crops.
“Weeds in and around fields should be removed and uprooted weeds should not be thrown into water channels,” she says.
Removal of affected plants at the early stage of infestation may reduce mealybug numbers in the rest of the crop and we advise growers to clean clothes and equipment thoroughly after contact with infested plants as mealybugs easily adhere to clothing and implements.
Trials in Pakistan and India have shown some promising results in terms of suitable insecticides for controlling this pest. Insecticide trial work to control Solenopsis mealybug will commence in Queensland in the near future. Development of integrated pest management (IPM) practices for this pest are also being investigated.
For specific information on biosecurity associated with mealybug management, visit www.cottonaustralia.com.au.
For general information on biosecurity, visit www.farmbiosecurity.com.au.
UN urges stepped-up monitoring for foot-and-mouth disease
ROME — The UN food agency has called for stepped-up surveillance for FMD disease after three outbreaks in Japan and South Korea.
"In the past nine years, incursions into officially FMD-free countries... have been extremely rare, so to have three such events in four months is a serious cause for concern," said the chief veterinary officer of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
"We are worried because the rigorous biosecurity measures in place in the two countries were overwhelmed, pointing to a recent, large-scale weight of infection in source areas, very probably in the Far East," Juan Lubroth added.
"Under the circumstances we consider that all countries are at risk and a review of preventive measures and response capacity would be welcome," he said.
"Even one small outbreak in a previously FMD-free country can cause millions of dollars of losses as global markets close and disease control measures are enforced," Lubroth warned.
(Source: AFP)
Biosecurity developments and member news
GoatMAP
The Goat industry’s Market Assurance Program - GoatMAP – has recently been updated. This is one of the tools for the control of Johne's disease in Australia.
MAPs are voluntary programs for sheep, cattle, alpaca and goat producers which enable them to identify and promote their negative Johne's disease status to their clients. Herds and flocks in the MAP are not accredited as free of Johne's disease, but they have a low risk of being infected compared to Non-Assessed herds and flocks. Producers can minimise the spread of Johne's disease by sourcing replacement animals from MAP assessed herds or flocks.
Johne’s disease is definitely a disease where a negative status is best and MAPs provide the best assurance available. A non-assessed vendor may have no idea that his or her herd or flock is infected and may continue to sell sires and dams, putting clients at risk of introducing the disease to their own stock. There is no need to take that risk. Producers who purchase from
The other MAPs that are operating in Australia are:
- AlpacaMAP - Alpaca industry
- CattleMAP - Beef and dairy industries
- SheepMAP - Sheepmeat and wool industries
For more information, see: www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/programs/jd/maps.cfm
Equine Influenza in the news
The Australian Horse Industry Council has issued the following media release in relation to the industry’s debate on disease management:
The Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) has welcomed the outcome of the Primary Industries Ministers Council (PIMC) meeting of 23rd April.
PIMC gave the different sectors of the Horse Industry the opportunity to work together and with Government and the Opposition to find acceptable levy mechanisms in order that the Emergency Animal Disease Agreement (EADRA) can be signed and the Levy Bills re-introduced to Parliament.
The Horse Industry can work in a cooperative manner as evidenced by the coordinated actions of many members of the different sectors of the industry which culminated in PIMC rejecting voluntary vaccination against Equine Influenza.
It is now up to the same people to work together and with Government to ensure as broad a cross-section of the industry as possible will support suitable levy mechanisms.
AHIC has received legal advice from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry that a number of different levy options are feasible. A response from the Australian Government Solicitor is still required on Constitutional matters and AHIC trusts that in light of 23rd April's PIMC meeting this will be promptly provided.
AHIC is working with its Industry Liaison Committee and the other peak bodies to look at ways in which the impost of any levy will be minimal and yet sufficient funds will be collected over a 10 year period to repay the costs of eradication of any new disease incursion.
AHIC fully supports PIMC's commitment to the strengthened biosecurity protocols for horse importation. These are the first line of defence against exotic horse diseases and are not only vital to protect against Equine Influenza but more importantly against fatal diseases such as African Horse Sickness and the Equine Encephalitides.
The Horse Industry needs to keep the momentum generated through the
“Say No to Vaccination” campaign and agree to suitable levy mechanisms and then we can join the livestock sectors which have an EADRA in place. This ensures certainty of a joint “across Government and industry” response to any disease incursion.
For further information: http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/
Look out for Parthenium
Biosecurity Queensland has warned landholders and other community members to keep a close eye out for Parthenium weed after recent rains.
Cass Johnston, a Biosecurity Officer based in Dalby, warned that vigilance was needed to continue the control effort.
"Parthenium weed is highly competitive and colonises areas rapidly, reducing the grazing capacity of paddocks," she said.
"Landholders and councils across southern Queensland have worked hard to contain the southern spread of the weed, which is prominent in some areas of Central Queensland.
"We need to be more vigilant than ever at the moment. With flood waters receding, who knows how many seeds have been transported via water."
Parthenium weed is an annual herb with pale-green lobed leaves. It can very quickly grow to a height of around two metres and its most distinctive feature is its small, creamy-white flowers.
"If people think they have found parthenium, we advise people to immediately contact their Council or Biosecurity Queensland, and keep stock and vehicles out of the infested area," she said.
"There are a number of ways to treat parthenium weed, from mechanical to chemical or biological control measures, so please contact us for advice."
* If you think you have found parthenium weed, contact Biosecurity Qld on 13 25 23 or visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au for more information and photos.
(Source: The Land)
Farm Biosecurity Weekly Media Snapshot
Local news…
Barley rust razing crops on four continents
AUSTRALIA'S coastal borders may be no match for barley stripe rust, which is already found on four continents and has the potential to cause serious crop losses in barley.
All states and the Commonwealth agree to fire ant eradication funding
“This data is currently being analysed by staff from Biosecurity Queensland and the University of Sydney, with preliminary results expected in November...
Around the world…
BC on-farm biosecurity, traceability plans funded
The British Columbia and federal governments will put up $3.5 million to back an on-farm biosecurity program and to support traceability at the farm and...
Canada To Strengthen Food Safety And Biosecurity Systems | Gov Monitor
$1.5 million will be allocated to the biosecurity program, which will help producers continue to improve their on-farm biosecurity procedures such as wearing barn-specific clothing and disinfecting farm equipment...
No single cause for mass die off of honey bees: OIE
Vallat called for more research and adherence to OIE guidelines on biosecurity in trade of bees between countries, a major cause of global contamination.
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