Published Monday, 05 February, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
QUEENSLAND’S BIOSECURITY ‘MOST WANTED LIST’
Bugtok, Moko disease, giant African snail and citrus canker. They may sound like creatures from Star Wars, but they are actually exotic plant pests and join over 100 others on the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries ‘Most Wanted’ hit-list.
DPI&F biosecurity officers are out in force throughout Queensland with a clear mission – to manage the risks associated with exotic pests and diseases, and protect Queensland’s primary industries.
Through an initiative called the Hazard Site Surveillance Program, DPI&F, in partnership with the Australian Government, is now focussing its efforts on a new, but very important target – Brisbane.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said Brisbane’s favourable environment and rapidly increasing trade and international visitation puts it at the front line for pest outbreaks in Australia.
“Although every effort is made to keep exotic pests and diseases out of Australia, there is always a risk factor,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The Hazard Site Surveillance Program targets key Brisbane locations at risk of harbouring new exotic pests and diseases, and has seen great results to date,” he said.
Through the program, DPI&F plant biosecurity officers have ramped up surveillance at key locations, including areas around the Port of Brisbane and the international airport – places where exotic pests are could initially establish in Queensland.
“The idea is to not only find the pests before they affect our farmers, but also to gain evidence to prove that Queensland is free from key pests – something very important to our trading partners.
“Inspectors are also keeping a close watch on areas in Brisbane where exotic pests could escape or spread, such as botanic and community gardens and hobby farms.”
Despite the increased biosecurity force in Brisbane, Chris Adriaansen, DPI&F General Manager (Plant Biosecurity), said it was vital all members of the public remembered they are important eyes and ears on the ground.
“Last year we received a tip-off from a member of the public who found, what was later confirmed to be an exotic snail species, near the Brisbane Botanical Gardens.
“Through surveillance, DPI&F inspectors were quickly able to demonstrate that the snail was a one-off incursion, and fortunately, the species had not become established in Brisbane or the gardens,” he said.
“In fact, you only have to look at the overwhelming success of the Fire Ant Eradication Project in Brisbane to see how important vigilant members of the public are to biosecurity surveillance,” Mr Adriaansen said.
DPI&F biosecurity officers have a wide-spread surveillance program in regional communities and the Hazard Site Surveillance Program is another initiative aimed at protecting market access and the economic viability of Queensland primary industries. There are 30 pests that the program is targetting, below is the top ten hit list for Brisbane and Queensland.
Brisbane’s top 10 hit list of pests
1. Red Banded Mango Caterpillar
2. Mango Pulp Weevil
3. Citrus Canker
4. Citrus Psylla
5. Giant African Snail
6. Red Imported Fire Ant
7. Glassy Winged Sharpshooter
8. Black Sigatoka
9. Asian Gypsy Moth
10. Eucalyptus Rust
Queensland’s top 10 hit list of pests (photographs available):
1. Red Banded Mango Caterpillar
2. Citrus Canker
3. Giant African Snail
4. Red Imported Fire Ant
5. Glassy Winged Sharp Shooter
6. Black Sigatoka
7. Fire Blight
8. Khapra beetle
9. Asian Gypsy Moth
10. Eucalyptus Rust
“I encourage all gardeners, nature lovers and residents to contact DPI&F on 13 25 23 if they see any unusual-looking pests or diseases on plants,” Mr Mulherin said.
For more information about the important work DPI&F biosecurity officers are undertaking visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Media: 32396530
Photographs are available from www.padil.gov.au
DPI&F biosecurity officers are out in force throughout Queensland with a clear mission – to manage the risks associated with exotic pests and diseases, and protect Queensland’s primary industries.
Through an initiative called the Hazard Site Surveillance Program, DPI&F, in partnership with the Australian Government, is now focussing its efforts on a new, but very important target – Brisbane.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said Brisbane’s favourable environment and rapidly increasing trade and international visitation puts it at the front line for pest outbreaks in Australia.
“Although every effort is made to keep exotic pests and diseases out of Australia, there is always a risk factor,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The Hazard Site Surveillance Program targets key Brisbane locations at risk of harbouring new exotic pests and diseases, and has seen great results to date,” he said.
Through the program, DPI&F plant biosecurity officers have ramped up surveillance at key locations, including areas around the Port of Brisbane and the international airport – places where exotic pests are could initially establish in Queensland.
“The idea is to not only find the pests before they affect our farmers, but also to gain evidence to prove that Queensland is free from key pests – something very important to our trading partners.
“Inspectors are also keeping a close watch on areas in Brisbane where exotic pests could escape or spread, such as botanic and community gardens and hobby farms.”
Despite the increased biosecurity force in Brisbane, Chris Adriaansen, DPI&F General Manager (Plant Biosecurity), said it was vital all members of the public remembered they are important eyes and ears on the ground.
“Last year we received a tip-off from a member of the public who found, what was later confirmed to be an exotic snail species, near the Brisbane Botanical Gardens.
“Through surveillance, DPI&F inspectors were quickly able to demonstrate that the snail was a one-off incursion, and fortunately, the species had not become established in Brisbane or the gardens,” he said.
“In fact, you only have to look at the overwhelming success of the Fire Ant Eradication Project in Brisbane to see how important vigilant members of the public are to biosecurity surveillance,” Mr Adriaansen said.
DPI&F biosecurity officers have a wide-spread surveillance program in regional communities and the Hazard Site Surveillance Program is another initiative aimed at protecting market access and the economic viability of Queensland primary industries. There are 30 pests that the program is targetting, below is the top ten hit list for Brisbane and Queensland.
Brisbane’s top 10 hit list of pests
1. Red Banded Mango Caterpillar
2. Mango Pulp Weevil
3. Citrus Canker
4. Citrus Psylla
5. Giant African Snail
6. Red Imported Fire Ant
7. Glassy Winged Sharpshooter
8. Black Sigatoka
9. Asian Gypsy Moth
10. Eucalyptus Rust
Queensland’s top 10 hit list of pests (photographs available):
1. Red Banded Mango Caterpillar
2. Citrus Canker
3. Giant African Snail
4. Red Imported Fire Ant
5. Glassy Winged Sharp Shooter
6. Black Sigatoka
7. Fire Blight
8. Khapra beetle
9. Asian Gypsy Moth
10. Eucalyptus Rust
“I encourage all gardeners, nature lovers and residents to contact DPI&F on 13 25 23 if they see any unusual-looking pests or diseases on plants,” Mr Mulherin said.
For more information about the important work DPI&F biosecurity officers are undertaking visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Media: 32396530
Photographs are available from www.padil.gov.au