Industry Biosecurity Plan for the Melon Industry
Version 1.0 September 2014 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
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© Plant Health Australia Limited 2014
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PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Acknowledgements
The Industry Biosecurity Plan for the Melon Industry was coordinated by Plant Health Australia and developed through a partnership approach using government and industry resources and expertise. The following organisations and agencies were involved in the development and finalisation of the plan:
Endorsement
The Industry Biosecurity Plan for the Melon Industry (Version 1.0) was formally endorsed by the melon industry (through the Australian Melon Association Inc.) in June 2014, and the Australian Government and all state and territory governments (through the Plant Health Committee) in September 2014.
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Table of contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 9 Executive Summary ...... 10 INTRODUCTION ...... 11 Introduction ...... 12 Plant Health Australia ...... 12 Australian Melon Association Inc...... 12 Biosecurity planning ...... 12 Industry Biosecurity Plan development ...... 14 Review processes ...... 15 Background on the melon industry ...... 15 The Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed ...... 18 Document overview ...... 21 Threat identification, pest risk assessments and categorisation ...... 21 Risk mitigation plan ...... 21 Contingency plans and response management ...... 22 Biosecurity implementation ...... 22 References ...... 25 THREAT IDENTIFICATION, PEST RISK ASSESSMENTS AND CATEGORISATION ...... 26 Introduction ...... 27 Threat identification ...... 27 Pest risk assessments ...... 28 Ranking pest threats ...... 29 Description of terms used in pest risk tables ...... 30 Melon industry high priority plant pest threat list ...... 33 Current resources for detection and identification of high priority pests ...... 35 Formal Categorisation of pests for inclusion in the EPPRD ...... 36 Pest categorisation ...... 36 Composition of the Categorisation Group ...... 37 Emergency Plant Pests categorised to date ...... 41 References ...... 41 RISK MITIGATION PLAN ...... 42 Introduction ...... 43 Barrier quarantine ...... 44 National level – importation restrictions ...... 44 State and regional level – movement restrictions ...... 49 Farm level – exclusion activities ...... 53 Nurseries and retailers – ‘hitch-hikers’ ...... 54 Surveillance ...... 54 National surveillance programs ...... 55 State surveillance programs ...... 55 Farm and nursery surveillance activities ...... 57 Training ...... 59
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Awareness ...... 59 High priority plant pest threat-related documents ...... 60 Further information/relevant web sites ...... 62 Farm biosecurity ...... 64 Introduction ...... 64 Selection and preparation of appropriate plant material ...... 64 Selecting appropriate cultivars ...... 64 Chemical control measures ...... 65 Control of vectors ...... 65 Control of alternative hosts ...... 66 Destruction of crop residues...... 66 Neglected farms and volunteer plants ...... 67 Post-harvest handling and produce transport procedures ...... 69 Use of warning and information signs ...... 70 Managing the movement of vehicles and farm equipment ...... 71 Movement of people ...... 74 Visiting overseas farms ...... 74 Including farm biosecurity in Industry Best Management Practice and Quality Assurance schemes ...... 74 Pollination services and biosecurity ...... 76 Farm biosecurity checklist ...... 77 Reporting suspect pests ...... 77 Reference ...... 79 CONTINGENCY PLANS AND RESPONSE MANAGEMENT ...... 80 Introduction ...... 81 PLANTPLAN ...... 81 Industry specific response procedures ...... 84 Industry communication ...... 84 Counselling and support services ...... 85 Pest-specific emergency response and information documents ...... 87 National Diagnostic Protocols ...... 88 Reference ...... 88 APPENDIX 1: THREAT SUMMARY TABLES ...... 89 Melon industry threat summary tables ...... 90 Invertebrates...... 90 Pathogens and nematodes ...... 96 References ...... 101
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Figures
Figure 1. Industry biosecurity: a shared responsibility ...... 13 Figure 2. Melon production regions in Australia (Source: Melon Industry Profile, 2010) ...... 16 Figure 3. Summary of incursion management for plant industries according to PLANTPLAN (2013) ...... 20 Figure 4. Potential biosecurity implementation activities within the framework of the IBP ...... 23 Figure 5. Summarised pest categorisation decision tree ...... 40 Figure 6. Examples of biosecurity risk mitigation activities ...... 43 Figure 7. Examples of farm level surveillance activities ...... 58 Figure 8. Postcard from Plant Health Australia’s Plant Health Awareness campaign ...... 60 Figure 9. Example biosecurity warning and information sign ...... 71 Figure 10. Suspect exotic plant pest detection reporting flowchart ...... 82 Figure 11. General decision making and communication chain for a plant pest emergency response ...... 84
Tables
Table 1. Members of the melon IBG ...... 14 Table 2. Scientists and others who contributed information for development of the IBP ...... 14 Table 3. Production of melons by state and territory (2011-2012) ...... 16 Table 4. Production regions and time of primary harvest and supply ...... 17 Table 5. Biosecurity action items identified by the melon industry ...... 24 Table 6. Summary of pest risk assessment process used in IBPs ...... 29 Table 7. Melon industry high priority plant pest threat list ...... 33 Table 8. Diagnostic protocols and surveillance programs for high priority pests (as at December 2012) ...... 35 Table 9. Cost sharing categories ...... 39 Table 10. Formal categories for pests which also impact the melon industry as listed in the EPPRD (as at August 9 2013) ...... 41 Table 11. Import condition summary for melon listed in ICON (as at August 2013) ...... 46 Table 12. Interstate and interregional movement of plant products – legislation, quarantine manuals and contact numbers ...... 50 Table 13. Official surveillance programs that target pests of the melon industry (as at December 2013) ...... 56 Table 14. Sources of information on high priority pest threats for the melon industry ...... 60 Table 15. Relevant sources of further biosecurity information for the melon industry ...... 62 Table 16. Authorities responsible for dealing with neglected, feral or volunteer plants ...... 68 Table 17. State/territory restrictions on movement of machinery and equipment ...... 73 Table 18. Melon industry IBMP and QA schemes ...... 75 Table 19. Timeframe for reporting of notifiable pests as defined in state/territory legislation .. 78 Table 20. Contact details for the Australian Melon Association Inc...... 85 Table 21. Counselling and financial counselling services ...... 86
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Table 22. Pest-specific information documents for the melon industry ...... 87 Table 23. Melon invertebrate threat summary table ...... 90 Table 24. Melon pathogen and nematode threat summary table ...... 96
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
List of acronyms
ACPPO Australian Chief Plant Protection Office AMA Australian Melon Association Inc.
APVMA Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
AQIS Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
AS/NZS Australian Standard/New Zealand Standard
BOLT Biosecurity On-Line Training
CCEPP Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests
CPHM State Chief Plant Health Manager
DAFF Qld Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland
DAFWA Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
DPI NSW Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales
DEPI Vic Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victoria
DPIF NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Northern Territory
DPIPWE Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania
EPP Emergency Plant Pest
EPPRD Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
HACCP Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
HAL Horticulture Australia Limited
HPP High Priority Pest
IBG Industry Biosecurity Group
IBMP Industry Best Management Practice
IBP Industry Biosecurity Plan
ICA Interstate Certification Assurance
ICON Import Conditions Database
IPM Integrated Pest Management
IPPC International Plant Protection Convention
IRA Import Risk Analysis
ISPM International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures
MICoR Manual of Importing Country Requirements
NAQS Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy
NDP National Diagnostic Protocol
NGIA Nursery and Garden Industry Australia
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
NIASA Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme
NMG National Management Group
NPBDN National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network
NPSRT National Plant Surveillance Reporting Tool
NT Northern Territory
PaDIL Pest and Disease Image Library
PHA Plant Health Australia
PHC Plant Health Committee
PIRSA Primary Industries and Regions South Australia
QA Quality Assurance
QRAA Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority
R&D Research and Development
SA South Australia
SARDI South Australian Research and Development Institute
SDQMA Sub-Committee for Domestic Quarantine and Market Access
SPC Secretariat of the Pacific Community
SPHDS Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostic Standards
SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary
SQDMA Subcommittee for Domestic Quarantine and Market Access
SQF Safe Quality Food
TST Threat Summary Table
Vic Victoria
WA Western Australia
WQA Woolworths Quality Assurance
WTO World Trade Organization
Reporting suspect pests
Any unusual plant pest should be reported immediately to the relevant state/territory agriculture department through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline (1800 084 881). Early reporting enhances the chance of effective control and eradication.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Executive Summary
To ensure its future viability and sustainability, it is vital that the Australian melon industry minimises the risks posed by exotic pests and responds effectively to plant pest threats. The melon industry biosecurity plan is a framework to coordinate biosecurity activities and investment for Australia’s melon industry. It provides a mechanism for industry, governments and stakeholders to better prepare for and respond to, incursions of pests that could have significant impacts on the melon industry. It aims to assist melon producers to evaluate the biosecurity risks within their everyday farming and business activities, formally identify and prioritise exotic plant pests (not currently present in Australia), and focus on future biosecurity challenges.
The melon industry biosecurity plan was developed in consultation with the Industry Biosecurity Group (IBG), a select group of plant health and biosecurity experts. The IBG was coordinated by Plant Health Australia (PHA) and included representatives from the Australian Melon Association Inc., the Australian Government, relevant state and territory agriculture agencies and PHA.
A key role of the industry biosecurity plan was the compilation of the Threat Summary Tables, a list of more than 65 exotic plant pests and the potential biosecurity threat that they represent to the Australian melon industry. Each pest was given an overall risk rating based on four criteria; entry, establishment, spread potential, and economic impact. Through this process, and further consultation, the highest rated pests were identified and highlighted for future surveillance, on-site biosecurity and awareness activities.
The melon industry biosecurity plan also details current surveillance activities being undertaken by Australia’s states and territories, and identifies contingency plans, fact-sheets and diagnostic protocols that have been developed for pests relevant to the melon industry. This enables identification of gaps and prioritises actions that need to be taken to increase the industry’s biosecurity preparedness.
This plan is principally designed for decision makers. It provides the melon industry with a mechanism to identify exotic plant pests as well as the strengths and weaknesses in its current biosecurity activities.
Executive Summary | PAGE 10
INTRODUCTION
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Introduction
Plant Health Australia
Plant Health Australia (PHA) is a public company, with members including the Australian Government, all state and territory governments and a range of plant industry organisations. The company was formed to address high priority plant health issues, and to work with all its members to develop an internationally outstanding plant health management system that enhances Australia’s plant health status and the sustainability and profitability of plant industries.
Australian Melon Association Inc.
The Australian Melon Association Inc. (AMA) is the peak representative body for over 400 watermelon, rockmelon and honeydew producers in the major melon growing regions of Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria and South Australia.
The strategic intent of the AMA is to ensure that melon businesses are both profitable and sustainable into the future. The three major industry priority areas1 include:
- Product: To bring more money into the industry from the sale of melons - Operations: To minimise industry production and marketing costs and improve the profitability of dedicated participants in the industry - Industry: To build industry unity and involvement
The AMA is funded by voluntary memberships and seeks to implement industry priorities with the assistance of committed volunteers. It is assisted by a part-time Industry Development Officer who is supported by matched funding from a Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) project. Industry R&D projects are funded via voluntary contributions and matched funding from HAL.
Biosecurity planning
Industry biosecurity is the protection from risks posed by exotic pests through actions such as exclusion, eradication and control. Effective industry biosecurity relies on all stakeholders, including government agencies, industry, and the public (Figure 1).
1 Australian Melon Association (2009) 2009-2014 Strategic Plan for the Australian Melon Industry.
Introduction | PAGE 12 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
National melon industry biosecurity planning Protection from risks posed by pests to the melon industry through exclusion,
eradication and control
Pre-border Border Post-border • identifying exotic pest • implementing effective • minimising risk of regional threats quarantine for people, and property entry and • managing quarantine risks machinery, plants and establishment offshore goods • preparing for timely • undertaking research and • establishing trapping and detection, minimising development offshore surveillance networks for spread and rapidly where pests are endemic. pests that may bypass responding to emergency checkpoints. pests.
Achieved through effective partnerships between industry, government and the community
Figure 1. Industry biosecurity: a shared responsibility
Australia’s geographic isolation and lack of shared land borders have, in the past, provided a degree of natural protection from exotic threats. Australia’s national quarantine system also helps to prevent the introduction of harmful exotic threats to plant industries. However, there will always be some risk of an exotic pest entering Australia, whether through natural dispersal or assisted dispersal as a result of increases in overseas tourism, imports and exports, mail and changes to transport procedures (e.g. refrigeration and containerisation of produce).
Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the melon industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to actively determine pests of highest priority, analyse the risks they pose and put in place practices and procedures that would rapidly detect an incursion, minimise the impact if a pest incursion occurs and/or reduce the chance of pests becoming established.
Ensuring the melon industry has the capacity to minimise the risks posed by pests, and to respond effectively to any pest threats is a vital step for the future sustainability and viability of the industry. Through this pre-emptive planning process, the industry will be better placed to maintain domestic and international trade, and reduce the social and economic costs of pest incursions on both growers and the wider community. The information gathered during these processes provides additional assurance that the Australian melon industry is free from specific pests and has systems in place to control and manage biosecurity risks, which assists the negotiation of access to new overseas markets.
Introduction | PAGE 13 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Industry Biosecurity Plan development
With the assistance of the Australian Melon Association Inc., an Industry Biosecurity Group (IBG) was formed to work on the development of a national biosecurity plan for the melon industry. The IBG was coordinated by Plant Health Australia and included representatives from the Australian Melon Association Inc., the Australian Government, relevant state and territory agriculture agencies and PHA (Table 1). Other contributors to the IBP included representatives from state and territory agriculture agencies (Table 2).
Key steps in the development of the melon IBP included:
identifying and documenting key threats to the melon industry confirming an agreed high priority pest (HPP) list documenting pest-specific fact sheets, contingency plans, diagnostic protocols and surveillance programs for HPPs documenting the roles and responsibilities of stakeholder groups.
Table 1. Members of the melon IBG
Name Organisation
Dianne Fullelove Australian Melon Association Inc.
Jon Caleo Australian Melon Association Inc.
Sandra McDougall NSW Department of Primary Industries
Denis Persley Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland
Len Tesoriero NSW Department of Primary Industries
Peter Leach Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland
Elio Jovicich Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland
Sam Malfroy Plant Health Australia
Brad Siebert Plant Health Australia
Table 2. Scientists and others who contributed information for development of the IBP
Name Organisation
Barry Conde Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries Northern Territory Government
Stuart Smith Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries Northern Territory Government
Introduction | PAGE 14 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Review processes With the support of the peak industry body and PHA this plan should be reviewed on a 4 – 5 year basis. The review process will ensure:
Threat Summary Tables are updated to reflect current knowledge pest risk assessments are current changes to biosecurity processes and legislation is documented contact details and the reference to available resources is accurate
Background on the melon industry
Melons are fleshy fruit, sometimes referred to as culinary vegetables that are members of the Cucurbitaceae family. Three major melon species are produced in Australia, including the watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), honeydew (Cucumis melo indorus) and rockmelon (Cucumis melo reticulatus); however, many different cultivars of these species are grown according to consumer preferences and market conditions. When ripe, the sweet juicy pulp is predominantly eaten fresh, however, the rind is sometimes preserved and seeds can be roasted as a snack or ground into an ingredient used in oils and sauces.
The Australian melon industry consists of approximately 400 growers producing around 210,000 tonnes of melons annually across an area of around 8,500 hectares. In 2008/09 the Australian melon industry had a Gross Value of Production (GVP) of around $150 million per annum (Melon Industry Profile, 2010).
The melon production regions of Australia include Queensland (Ayr, Bowen, Bundaberg and Chinchilla), New South Wales (Griffith, Hay, Bourke and Sunraysia), Western Australia (Kununurra, Carnarvon, Broome, Geraldton and Perth), Northern Territory (Darwin, Mataranka, Central Australia and Katherine), Victoria (Mildura and Swan Hill) and South Australia (Waikerie) (Figure 2).
Introduction | PAGE 15 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Figure 2. Melon production regions in Australia (Source: Melon Industry Profile, 2010)
Queensland is the largest producer of melons in Australia, with New South Wales, Western Australian and Northern Territory also producing large amounts. Victoria and South Australia produce lower, but still significant volumes (Table 3). Melons are also grown in Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, but no commercial quantities are produced.
Table 3. Production of melons by state and territory (2011-2012)
State Area (ha) Production (t)
Queensland 2,853 70,462
Northern Territory 1,402 44,657
New South Wales 1,157 28,171
Western Australia 1,027 30,115
Victoria 251 5,433
South Australia 110 4,194
Total 6,800 183,033
Source: ABS Agricultural Commodities (2011-12)
Fresh watermelons, rockmelons and honeydew are produced all year round throughout Australia (Table 4). Some specialty melons are available seasonally and marketed as differentiated products. The majority of Australian melons are sold on the domestic market
Introduction | PAGE 16 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
either as fresh fruit or fresh cut preparations. The main form of value-adding is cut and wrapped fruit. Some melons are utilised in fresh cut fruit salad mixes and juice products.
Table 4. Production regions and time of primary harvest and supply
J F M A M J J A S O N D Northern Territory Western Australia Queensland New South Wales Victoria South Australia Source: Melon Industry Profile (2010)
Seedless watermelons are the industry standard and are popular with consumers and production has been rising. Market share for rockmelons and honeydew melons has increased with long shelf-life rockmelons becoming the industry standard. Gold honeydew and piel de sapo fruit are also increasing in popularity with consumers.
Most fruit is marketed at capital city wholesale markets in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
A small quantity of melons are exported, predominantly rockmelons, to Southeast Asia and New Zealand. However, melons are a fruit fly host, and quarantine restrictions in markets such as Japan and Korea are currently preventing access (Australian Melon Association, 2009).
Introduction | PAGE 17 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
The Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed
The Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) has been negotiated between government and industry members of PHA to cover the management and funding arrangements of eradication responses to Emergency Plant Pest (EPP) Incidents. The EPPRD came into effect on October 26, 2005 and is a formal legally binding agreement between PHA, the Australian Government, all state and territory governments and 29 plant industry signatories. The EPPRD is based on the following key principles:
cost minimisation for all Parties reimbursement to growers whose crops or property are directly damaged or destroyed as a result of implementing an approved Response Plan early detection and response rapid responses to Emergency Plant Pests (excluding weeds) decisions to eradicate are based on appropriate criteria (e.g. eradication must be technically feasible and cost beneficial) an industry commitment to biosecurity and risk mitigation and a government commitment to best management practice Cost Sharing of eligible costs an Agreed Limit for Cost Sharing (calculated as 2% of the local value of production for one year of the Affected Industry Party or as defined in Schedule 14 of the EPPRD). The Agreed Limit can be exceeded with the agreement of Affected Parties. an effective industry/government decision-making process.
The Australian Melon Association Inc. is not a member of PHA or a signatory to the EPPRD.
For further information on the EPPRD, including copies of the EPPRD, Fact Sheets or Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/epprd and www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/epprd-qa/.
Introduction | PAGE 18 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
The definition of a pest used in this document covers all insects, mites, snails, nematodes, pathogens and weeds that are injurious to plants, plant products or bees. Exotic pests are those not currently present in Australia. Endemic pests are those established within Australia.
Pest threats are those that have been or are being identified as significant to the industry. The most important threats are defined as key or High Priority Pests (HPPs).
Under the arrangements of the EPPRD, EPPs are defined as those that meet one or more of the following criteria:
a) It is a known exotic Plant Pest, the economic consequences of an incident of which would be economically or otherwise harmful for Australia, and for which it is considered to be in the regional or national interest to be free of the plant pest b) It is a variant form of an established Plant Pest which can be distinguished by appropriate investigative and diagnostic methods, and which if established in Australia, would have a regional or national impact c) It is a serious Plant Pest of unknown or uncertain origin which may, on the evidence available at the time, be an entirely new plant pest, and which if established in Australia would have an adverse economic impact regionally and or nationally d) It is a Plant Pest of potential economic importance to the area endangered thereby and not yet present there or widely distributed and being officially controlled, but is occurring in such a fulminant incursion form, that an emergency response is required to ensure that there is not either a large scale epidemic of regional or national significance or serious loss of market access.*
* Variation to this definition pending EPPRD Party approval as at March 2014
PLANTPLAN is the agreed technical Response Plan used by jurisdictions and industry in responding to an EPP Incident. It provides nationally consistent guidelines for response procedures under the EPPRD, outlining the phases of an incursion (investigation and alert, operational and stand down2), as well as the key roles and responsibilities of industry and government during each of these phases. The incursion management plan from PLANTPLAN (2013) has been summarised in Figure 3.
2 The addition of an additional phase, Transition to Management, is pending as at March 2014. Introduction | PAGE 19
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Prevention* Preparedness* Response* Recovery*
• Quarantine • Contingency Investigation Operational • Risk reduction planning Stand Down Phase measures • Pest risk and Alert Phase Phase • Codes of practice assessments • Detection and • Activated by: • Accreditation • Surveillance • Implementation Notification of - Investigation and Alert • Quality assurance • Diagnostics facilities of the Response Incident Phase failing to confirm schemes • Organisational Plan • Confirmation of presence of an EPP • Grower awareness arrangements diagnosis - eradication of an EPP • Communications • Delimiting not technically feasible/ • Media Continuous surveillance cost beneficial • Trade response review and • Emergency - following plan assessment of Containment implementation of a • Funding Response Plan • Response Plan Response Plan, EPP arrangements triggers development successfully • Training eradicated, no longer • Legislation Agreed alternate technically feasible/cost • Research and approach beneficial to eradicate development implemented - e.g. resistance (Revised Response breeding Plan or Stand Down Phase)
Infrastructure Core principles and key planning components
diagnostic facilities, human resources, research and development, pest coordination, cost/benefit analysis, law, funding, industry involvement, surveillance and monitoring national interest, communications, international environment, trade/marketing
and quarantine
* stages of ‘all hazards’ approach adopted by Emergency Management Australia
Figure 3. Summary of incursion management for plant industries according to PLANTPLAN (2013)
Introduction | PAGE 20 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Document overview
The biosecurity package developed for the Australian melon industry focuses on a number of key areas.
Threat identification, pest risk assessments and categorisation
Guidelines are provided for the identification and ranking of biosecurity threats through a process of qualitative risk assessment. The primary goal is to coordinate identification of exotic pest threats that could impact on productivity, sustainability, and marketability and to assess their potential impacts. This plan strengthens risk assessment work already being done both interstate and overseas. Key melon biosecurity threats are detailed in threat summary tables (TST; Appendix 1), along with the plant pest threat priority list (the top ranked threats to the melon industry).
The EPPRD outlines a mechanism whereby Industry and Government Parties will contribute to the total cost of a response to an EPP Incident based on agreed Categories. The process used for categorisation of EPPs is included in this section of the IBP, along with a list of melon EPPs that have been categorised to date.
Risk mitigation plan
This section provides a summary of activities to mitigate the impact of pest threats on the Australian melon industry, along with a set of guidelines for managing risk at all operational levels. Many pre-emptive practices can be adopted by plant industries and government agencies to reduce risks. The major themes covered include:
Barrier quarantine Surveillance Training Awareness Farm biosecurity Reporting of suspect pests
Introduction | PAGE 21 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Contingency plans and response management
PHA has coordinated the development of PLANTPLAN, a generic emergency response plan for the Australian plant industries. This plan details the procedures required and the organisations responsible in the event of an incursion of an EPP. Pest-specific contingency plans may be developed as a result of the pest threats identified in this plan.
Biosecurity implementation
The melon IBP provides a framework for the implementation of biosecurity practices within the industry. Currently a range of biosecurity practices are undertaken within the melon industry and these are outlined in the Risk Mitigation Plan (page 42). Further implementation within the framework of the IBP, such as those practices outlined in Figure 4, should be investigated to increase preparedness in the industry.
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Biosecurity management
Examples include: • Biosecurity Officers to implement and coordinate biosecurity activities for the industry • biosecurity reference groups.
On-farm biosecurity practices Examples include: development of an on-farm biosecurity manual • • inclusion of biosecurity in Industry Best Management Practices and/or Quality Assurance schemes • promotion of biosecurity signage, farm hygiene and surveillance • development of modules for testing on-farm biosecurity.
Surveillance Examples include: • collection of surveillance data into the national database (NPSRT) • increased general surveillance • implementation of surveillance for high priority pests (for market access and/or early detection). Implementation of IBPs Pest-specific document development for high priority pests Examples include: • contingency plans or business continuity plans • factsheets and posters • diagnostic protocols.
Awareness activities
Examples include: • biosecurity awareness campaign • promotion of biosecurity practices to growers • development of extension material.
Training Examples include: • training of industry personnel in the EPPRD and PLANTPLAN • on-farm training programs for best practice biosecurity.
Figure 4. Potential biosecurity implementation activities within the framework of the IBP
Through the development of the melon IBP, a list of biosecurity action items to be considered by stakeholders in the industry has been developed (Table 5). This list is intended to provide proposed or potential biosecurity priorities for the melon industry that are gaps in the current activities listed in the Risk Mitigation section of the IBP. Future versions of this document will contain information on the progress made on the listed items.
Introduction | PAGE 23 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Table 5. Biosecurity action items identified by the melon industry
Action item Details
Awareness material Identify and produce appropriate awareness material that raise awareness of the importance of biosecurity and the main exotic pest threats to the melon industry for distribution to growers.
Investigate a grower Look into the requirements for establishing a grower levy to fund research and levy to fund research biosecurity activities and biosecurity activities
Look to become Investigate possibilities of becoming a PHA Member and sign the Emergency Members of PHA Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) and sign the EPPRD
Research on key Risk analysis and diagnostic protocols for high priority pests that do not have pests protocols at present.
Development of Develop pest specific contingency plans for high priority pests. pest-specific contingency plans
Research on Threat Undertake review of the current Threat Summary Tables to complete Summary Tables information on risk ratings for pests where gaps occur and update the high priority pest list if required.
Investigate need for Identification of chemical control requirements for HPPs. If needed, prepare emergency emergency chemical registrations. registration of chemicals for high priority pests (HPP)
Emergency Identification of chemical control requirements for melon HPP threats and their registration of availability in Australia. Where required, advanced applications for emergency chemicals for HPPs chemical registrations should be prepared and submitted to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). This should be a collaborative process between state governments and the melon industry.
On farm biosecurity Consider initiating an on-farm biosecurity manual to highlight exotic pest threats manual and biosecurity best-practice measures to melon growers.
Development of on- Training through the provision of an on-farm biosecurity manual, fact sheets on farm biosecurity high priority pests, and stressing the importance of regular pest check with training packages records (and benefits to market access). On-farm training should also outline the compensation process to give growers confidence in the system and the desire to notify the State government department if an incursion occurs.
Grower surveillance Development and implementation of more general surveillance programs by activities growers and their staff.
Identification of all Implementation of a process to develop a database of all melon growing melon growing properties (including national or state grower registration) for use in properties surveillance or pest control programs.
Training in At a committee level, a checklist of roles for individual committee members in responsibilities for the event of an incursion. At a regional level, identification and training of committee members potential Industry Liaison Officers (ILOs) in Deed responsibilities and duties as and Industry Liaison an ILO should an incursion occur. Officers
Review of quarantine Industry to review the quarantine and import conditions for melon propagation restrictions material and melon pest host material in relation to seed borne viruses.
Introduction | PAGE 24 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
References
Australian Melon Association (2009) 2009-2014 Strategic Plan for the Australian Melon Industry.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Agricultural Commodities report (2011-12) www.abs.gov.au
Melon Industry Profile (2010) HAL member Australian Subtropical and Tropical fruit industries: Size, value and potential 2010-2025.
PLANTPLAN (2013) PLANTPLAN Australian Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan. Version 1. (www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/plantplan).
Introduction | PAGE 25
THREAT IDENTIFICATION, PEST RISK ASSESSMENTS AND CATEGORISATION
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Introduction
This section identifies high risk exotic pest threats to the melon industry, and presents a framework for assessing the potential economic, social and environmental impacts associated with each threat. This part of the biosecurity plan uses a nationally consistent and coordinated approach to threat identification and risk assessment to provide a strong base for future risk management in the melon industry.
By identifying key threats a pre-emptive approach may be taken to risk management. Under this approach, mechanisms can be put into place to increase our response effectiveness if pest incursions occur. One such mechanism is the EPPRD that has been negotiated between PHA’s government and industry members. The EPPRD ensures reliable and agreed funding arrangements are in place in advance of EPP incursions, and assists in the response to EPP incursions, particularly those identified as key threats.
Identification of high risk pests will also assist in the implementation of effective grower and community awareness campaigns, targeted biosecurity education and training programs for growers and diagnosticians, and development of pest-specific incursion response plans.
Threat identification
Information on biosecurity threats to the melon industry described in this document came from a combination of:
past records existing industry protection plans relevant experience industry practice and experience relevant published literature local industry and overseas research specialist and expert judgment.
At this time, only invertebrate pests (insects, mites, molluscs and nematodes) and pathogens (disease causing organisms) have been identified, although the issue of weeds may be revisited through future reviews of this plan.
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Pest risk assessments
The assessment process used in this IBP was developed in accordance with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 2 and 11 [Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2004; 2007]. A summary of the pest risk analysis protocol followed in this IBP is shown in Table 6, and the complete protocol used for pest risk analysis in this IBP can be found on the PHA website3.
While there are similarities in the ranking system used in this document and the Import Risk Analysis (IRA) process followed by the Department of Agriculture, there are differences in the underlying methodology and scope of consideration that may result in different outcomes between the two assessment systems. This includes different guidance to assignment of qualitative probabilities when compared with the Department of Agriculture’s IRA process.
Modifications of the Department of Agriculture protocol (DAFF 2011) have been made to suit the analysis required in the IBP development process, including, but not limited to:
Entry potential: The determination of entry potential in this IBP takes into account multiple possible pathways for the legal importation of plant material as well as illegal pathways, contamination and the possibility of introduction through natural means such as wind. Therefore the scope is wider than that used by the Department of Agriculture in their IRA process, which only considers legal importation of plants or plant commodities. Potential economic impact of pest establishment in this document only takes into account the impacts on the melon industry. The Department of Agriculture IRA process has a wider scope, including the effects to all of Australia’s plant industries, trade, the environment and public health. Risk potentials and impacts: The number of categories used in this IBP for describing the entry, establishment, spread, and potential economic impact (see ‘Description of terms used in pest risk tables’, page 30) differs in comparison to that used in the Department of Agriculture IRA process.
3 Available from www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/biosecurity/risk-mitigation
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Table 6. Summary of pest risk assessment process used in IBPs
Step 1 Clearly identify the pest Generally pest defined to species level Alternatively a group (e.g. family, genus level) can be used Sub-species level (e.g. race, pathovar, etc.) may be required
Step 2 Assess entry, Assessment based on current system and factors establishment and spread Negligible, low, medium, high or unknown ratings likelihoods
Step 3 Assess likely Primarily based on likely economic impact to industry based consequences on current factors Negligible, low, medium, high, extreme or unknown ratings
Step 4 Derive overall risk Entry, establishment and spread likelihoods are combined to generate a likelihood score Likelihood score combined with the likely economic impact to generate an overall risk score
Step 5 Review the risk Risk ratings should be reviewed with the IBP
The objective of risk assessment is to clearly identify and classify biosecurity risks and to provide data to assist in the evaluation and treatment of these risks. Risk assessment involves consideration of the sources of risk, their consequences, and the likelihood that those consequences may occur. Factors that affect the consequences and likelihood may be identified and addressed via risk mitigation strategies.
Risk assessment may be undertaken to various degrees of refinement, depending on the risk information and data available. Assessment may be qualitative, semi-quantitative, quantitative, or a combination of these. The complexity and cost of assessment increase with the production of more quantitative data. It is often more practical to first obtain a general indication of the level of risk through qualitative risk assessment, and if necessary, undertake more specific quantitative assessment later [Australian Standard/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS) ISO 31000, 2009].
Ranking pest threats
Key questions required for ranking the importance of pests include the following:
What are the probabilities of entry into Australia, establishment and spread, for each pest? What are the likely impacts of the pest on cost of production, overall productivity and market access? How difficult is each pest to identify and control and/or eradicate?
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The TSTs (Appendix 1) present a list of potential plant pest threats to the melon industry and provide summarised information on entry, establishment and spread potential, the economic consequences of establishment and eradication potential (where available). The most serious threats from the TSTs were identified through a process of qualitative risk assessment4 and are listed in the HPP list (Table 7).
This document considers all potential pathways by which a pest might enter Australia, including natural and assisted spread (including smuggling). This is a broader view of potential risk than the IRA conducted by the Department of Agriculture which focus only on specific regulated import pathways.
When a pest that threatens multiple industries is assessed, the entry, establishment and spread potentials take into account all known factors across all host industries. This accurately reflects the ability of a pest to enter, establish and spread across Australia and ultimately results in different industries, and their IBPs, sharing similar pest ratings. However the economic impact of a pest is considered at an industry specific level (i.e. for the melon industry only in this IBP), and therefore this rating may differ between IBPs.
Description of terms used in pest risk tables
The descriptions below relate to terms in Table 7.
Entry potential
Negligible The probability of entry is extremely low given the combination of all known factors including the geographic distribution of the pest, quarantine practices applied, probability of pest survival in transit and pathways for pest entry and distribution to a suitable host.
Low The probability of entry is low, but clearly possible given the expected combination of factors described above.
Medium Pest entry is likely given the combination of factors described above.
High Pest entry is very likely and potentially frequent given the combination of factors described above.
Unknown The pest entry potential is unknown or very little of value is known.
4 An explanation of the risk assessment method used can be found on the PHA website (www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/biosecurity/risk-mitigation)
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Establishment potential
Negligible The pest has limited potential to survive and become established within Australia given the combination of all known factors.
Low The pest has the potential to survive and become established in approximately one-third or less of the range of hosts. The pest could have a low probability of contact with susceptible hosts.
Medium The pest has the potential to survive and become established in between approximately one-third and two-thirds of the range of hosts.
High The pest has potential to survive and become established throughout most or all of the range of hosts. Distribution is not limited by environmental conditions that prevail in Australia. Based upon its current world distribution, and known conditions of survival, it is likely to survive in Australia wherever major hosts are grown.
Unknown The establishment potential of the pest is unknown or very little of value is known.
Spread potential
Negligible The pest has very limited potential for spread in Australia given the combination of dispersal mechanisms, availability of hosts, vector presence, industry practices and geographic and climatic barriers.
Low The pest has the potential for natural or assisted spread to susceptible hosts within Australia yet is hindered by a number of the above factors
Medium The pest has an increased likelihood of spread due to the above factors
High The natural spread of the pest to most production areas is largely unhindered and assisted spread within Australia is also difficult to manage
Unknown The spread potential is unknown or very little of value is known.
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Economic impact
Negligible There are very minor, often undetectable, impacts on production with insignificant changes to host longevity, crop quality, production costs or storage ability. There are no restrictions to market access.
Very low There are minor, yet measurable, impacts on production including either host longevity, crop quality, production costs or storage ability. There are no restrictions to market access.
Low There are measurable impacts to production including either host mortality, reduction in yield, production costs, crop quality, storage losses, and/or minimal impacts on market access.
Medium There are significant impacts on production with either host mortality, reduction in yield, production costs, crop quality, storage losses, and/or moderate impacts on market access.
High There are severe impacts on production including host mortality and significant impacts on either crop quality or storage losses, and/or severe impacts on market access.
Extreme There is extreme impact on standing crop at all stages of maturity, with high host mortality or unmanageable impacts to crop production and quality, and /or extreme, long term, impacts on market access.
Unknown The economic potential of the pest is unknown or very little of value is known.
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Melon industry high priority plant pest threat list
Table 7 provides an overview of the top ranked threats to the melon industry. Further details on each pest along with the basis for the likelihood ratings are provided in the threat summary tables (Appendix 1). Assessments may change given more detailed research, and the priority list will be reviewed with the Biosecurity Plan on a 4-5 year basis. An explanation of the method used for calculating the overall risk can be found on the PHA website5.
Table 7. Melon industry high priority plant pest threat list
Scientific name Common name Host(s) Plant part Entry Establishment Spread Economic Overall risk affected potential potential potential impact
DIPTERA
Bactrocera cucurbitae Melon fruit fly Polyphagous, including Fruit HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH watermelon, melon6, cucumber and pumpkin
Bactrocera invadens Fruit fly Polyphagous, including Fruit MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH watermelon and melon as minor hosts
Bactrocera latifrons Solanum fruit fly Primarily Solanaceae, but Fruit MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH also affects watermelon
Liriomyza bryoniae Tomato leafminer Polyphagous, including Leaves HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH HIGH watermelon, melon and other Cucumis sp.
5 Available from www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/biosecurity/risk-mitigation 6 The term ‘melon’ used in this table represents both Rockmelon and Honeydew (Cucumis melo)
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Scientific name Common name Host(s) Plant part Entry Establishment Spread Economic Overall risk affected potential potential potential impact
Liriomyza huidobrensis Pea leafminer, Polyphagous, including Leaves HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH HIGH Serpentine leafminer melon
Liriomyza sativae Vegetable leafminer Polyphagous, including Leaves HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH watermelon and melon
Liriomyza trifolii American serpentine Polyphagous, including Leaves HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH HIGH leafminer melon
HEMIPTERA
Bemisia tabaci (exotic Silverleaf whitefly Polyphagous, including Leaves and HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH strains and biotypes) watermelon stems
FUNGI
Fusarium oxysporum Fusarium root and Watermelon and melons Leaves, HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH f.sp. melonis (exotic stem rot of melons stems and races), Fusarium roots oxysporum f.sp. niveum (exotic races), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis- cucumerinum
Monosporascus Monosporascus root Cucurbitaceae, including Roots MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM cannonballus rot watermelon and rockmelon
BACTERIA
Erwinia tracheiphila Cucurbit bacterial Watermelon, melon and Whole plant LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM wilt other Cucurbit sp.
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Current resources for detection and identification of high priority pests
Diagnostic and surveillance capacity for the HPPs of the melon industry (Table 8) supports Australia’s preparedness and ability to respond to them should they be detected. A summary of this capacity is shown in Table 8, which lists the formal active surveillance programs and the status of national diagnostic protocols developed for each of the melon HPPs.
Development of national diagnostic protocols is managed through the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostic Standards (SPHDS). While diagnostic capacity may exist in Australia in the absence of these documents, an endorsed national diagnostic protocol provides a consistent and agreed diagnostic approach for identifying new pests. Further information on these documents can be found on page 88.
Table 8. Diagnostic protocols and surveillance programs for high priority pests (as at December 2012)7
Scientific name Common name National diagnostic Surveillance programs protocol
Bactrocera cucurbitae Fruit flies Fruit fly handbook8 NAQS pest and disease survey Bactrocera invadens Melon fruit fly – Australia’s northern coastline from Cairns to Broome (Qld, NT Bactrocera latrifrons Fruit fly and WA), including the Torres Solanum fruit fly Strait – natural environments, agricultural and community regions, ports of entry NAQS exotic fruit fly trapping program – Torres Strait Department of Agriculture and state funded National exotic fruit fly trapping programs – ports of entry and all states
Liriomyza bryoniae Tomato leafminer Not Developed No specific surveillance
Liriomyza huidobrensis Pea leafminer, Draft No specific surveillance Serpentine leafminer
Liriomyza sativae Vegetable leafminer Not Developed No specific surveillance
Liriomyza trifolii American serpentine Draft No specific surveillance leafminer
Bemisia tabaci (exotic Silverleaf whitefly Not Developed Nursery and host plant strains and biotypes) Silverleaf whitefly surveillance programs (NT and Tas)
7 Information presented has been taken from the National Plant Health Status Report 2012 and confirmed or updated through either Plant Health Committee, the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostic Standards, the Subcommittee on National Plant Health Surveillance or other stakeholders 8 Included in the Australian Handbook for the Identification of Fruit Flies http://www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/national- programs/fruit-fly/handbook-for-the-identification-of-fruit-fly/
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Scientific name Common name National diagnostic Surveillance programs protocol
Fusarium oxysporum Fusarium root and Not Developed No specific surveillance f.sp. melonis (exotic stem rot of melons races), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum (exotic races), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis- cucumerinum
Erwinia tracheiphila Cucurbit bacterial wilt Not Developed No specific surveillance
Formal Categorisation of pests for inclusion in the EPPRD
The following section outlines on aspect of the EPPRD - the categorisation of EPPs.
A copy of the EPPRD can be downloaded from the PHA website (www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/epprd).
Pest categorisation
The EPPRD outlines a mechanism whereby Industry and Government Parties will contribute to the total cost of a response to an EPP Incident based on agreed Categories. These Categories determine the ratio each party will pay, based on the relative public and private benefits of EPP eradication. Four Categories are included in the EPPRD, as outlined in Table 9 and Figure 5.
Categorisation of a Plant Pest is carried out to determine the Parties that are Affected and who will therefore be the beneficiaries of an eradication response. It does not indicate its likelihood of eradication or its overall importance i.e. an EPP listed as Category 1 is not deemed to be any more or less important than an EPP listed as Category 4.
Any Plant Pest considered by a Party to meet the definition of an EPP can be put forward for categorisation and inclusion in Schedule 13 of the EPPRD. Pests listed in the HPP threat list (Table 7) may provide a starting point for Industry to prioritise development of Categorisation requests as they have been determined to be of high priority to the Industry. Other pests identified in TSTs or identified via other means as being priority pests, may also be categorised if required. The process for requesting categorisation of a pest is set out in Schedule 3 of the EPPRD and the Guidelines for the Preparation of a Categorisation Request will be available from the PHA website www.planthealthaustralia.com.au.
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Pests that enter Australia, but which have not been formally categorised may be deemed “an uncategorised Plant Pest which is reasonably believed to be an EPP,”9 and from a Response Plan perspective, will be treated as belonging to Category 3 until an appropriate Category has been determined under formal categorisation processes.
The Categorisation Group will be responsible for determining a Cost Sharing Category applicable for EPPs. Only Plant Pests meeting the EPP criteria will be considered for categorisation. Taking into account relevant scientific and other knowledge and experience, the Categorisation Group will consider requests for pest categorisation, re-categorisation or removal from Schedule 13 of the EPPRD.
Figure 5 outlines the decision-making process used by the Categorisation Group in deciding pest Categories. The Categorisation Group Operating Guidelines will be available from the PHA website www.planthealthaustralia.com.au.
When more than one Industry Party is Affected by an EPP, the Categorisation Group will also determine (and when requested, review) the Funding Weight for each Affected Industry. Funding Weights provide a means for calculating each Industry’s Proportional Share of the total Industry contribution if an EPP Affects multiple Industry Parties.
Composition of the Categorisation Group
As described in Part 4 of Schedule 8 of the EPPRD, the membership of the Categorisation Group for each EPP will comprise (at a minimum):
an independent chair from PHA one standing member representing Industry Parties nominated by the Board of PHA three technical experts (people with specific expertise in the relevant areas of plant pathology or entomology), one nominated by the Australian Government, one nominated by the States and Territories and one nominated by the Industry Parties a person with relevant economic expertise including social, trade and regional impact assessment nominated by the Chairman of PHA a nominee from each plant industry or industries Affected by the Plant Pest being categorised10.
The Categorisation Group may also seek advice from:
a person with human health expertise, if a public health risk may exist
9 Excerpt from the EPPRD definition of Incident - Incident means the occurrence of a confirmed or reasonably held suspicion of an EPP or of an uncategorised Plant Pest which is reasonably believed to be an EPP (not including a Plant Pest investigation where the provisional finding or diagnosis is that the Plant Pest is established). 10 Part 4.5.1 of the EPPRD specifies the definition of a quorum of the Categorisation Group which varies depending on the number of Affected Industry Parties that are involved.
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a conservation representative (e.g. Australian Government Department responsible for the environment) or other relevant members determined by the independent chair.
Advisers who have specific expertise may accompany members of the Categorisation Group, but will not be part of the decision-making process.
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Table 9. Cost sharing categories
Category Description Funding share
Category 1: Pest which if not eradicated would: 100% Government Very high cause major environmental damage to natural public benefits ecosystems; and/or potentially affect human health or cause a major nuisance to humans; and/or cause significant damage to amenity flora; and have relatively little impact on commercial crops. This category also covers situations where the pest has a very wide range of hosts including native flora and there is considerable uncertainty as to the relative impacts on the different crops. In short, it is almost impossible to properly determine which industries benefit from eradication and to what extent, and in any case, the incursion primarily affects native flora and/or amenity plants, and/or is a major nuisance if not a health risk to humans.
Category 2: Pest which if not eradicated would: 80% Government High public cause significant public losses either directly through 20% Industry benefits serious loss of amenity and/or environmental values and/or effects on households or indirectly through very severe economic impacts on regions and the national economy, through large trade losses with flow on effects through the economy; and also impose major costs on the industries concerned so that these industries would significantly benefit from eradication.
Category 3: Pest which if not eradicated would: 50% Government Moderate primarily harm the industries concerned but there would 50% Industry public benefits also be some significant public costs as well (that is, moderate public benefits from eradication). In this case the pest could adversely affect public amenities, households or the environment, and/or could have significant, though moderate trade implications and/or national and regional economic implications.
Category 4: Pest which if not eradicated would: 20% Government Mostly if not have little or no public cost implications and little or no 80% Industry wholly private impacts on natural ecosystems. The affected commercial benefits industries would be adversely affected primarily through additional costs of production, through extra control costs or nuisance costs; and generally there would be no significant trade issues that would affect national and regional economies.
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PLANT PEST
Not for Does it meet the No consideration under definition of an EPP? the EPPRD
Yes
Would there be a MAJOR
IMPACT on the Would there be a Category 1 environment, human health, Yes MAJOR IMPACT No 100% Affected or nuisance value to on affected Government Parties humans, or amenity flora? Cropping Sectors? ily environmental/ ily environmental/ human benefit human
Primar Yes
No
Would there be a Would there be a Category 2 MAJOR IMPACT MAJOR IMPACT on Yes Yes 20% Affected Industry on regional and 1 affected Cropping Parties; 80% Affected national Sectors? Government Parties economies? High public benefit public High No No
Would there be a MODERATE IMPACT on the Category 3 environment, or nuisance Yes 50% Affected Industry Parties; 50% value to humans, or amenity Affected Government Parties flora, or regional and national economies? Moderate public benefit public Moderate
No
Category 4 80% Affected Industry Parties; 20% Affected Government Parties High private benefit private High
Figure 5. Summarised pest categorisation decision tree
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Emergency Plant Pests categorised to date
The Australian Melon Association Inc. is not a member of PHA or a signatory to the EPPRD. However, EPP’s for other industry members of PHA that are signatories to the EPPRD, which also impact the melon industry, have been categorised.
EPP’s which also impact the melon industry and that have received formal pest categorisation (included within Schedule 13 of the EPPRD) are listed in Table 10. For the latest version of Schedule 13, refer to the EPPRD version found at www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/epprd.
Table 10. Formal categories for pests which also impact the melon industry as listed in the EPPRD (as at August 9 2013)
Scientific name Common name Formal Category
Liriomyza sativae Vegetable leafminer 3
Peridroma saucia Variegated cutworm 4
References
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management - Principles and guidelines. Standards Australia, Sydney, and Standards New Zealand, Wellington.
DAFF (2011) Final pest risk analysis report for ‘Candidatus Liberibacter species’ and their vectors associated with Rutaceae. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.
FAO (2004) Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis or environmental risks and living modified organisms. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 11. Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
FAO (2007) Framework for pest risk analysis. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 2. Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
Threat Identification, Pest Risk Assessments and Categorisation | PAGE 41
RISK MITIGATION PLAN
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Introduction
There are a number of strategies that can be adopted to help protect and minimise the risks of exotic and emergency pests under International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards (www.ippc.int/standards) and Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation.
Many pre-emptive practices can be adopted to reduce the risk of exotic pest movement for the melon industry (Figure 6). Such risk mitigation practices are the responsibility of governments, industry and the community.
A number of key risk mitigation areas are outlined in this guide, along with summaries of the roles and responsibilities of the Australian Government, state/territory governments, and melon industry members. This section is to be used as a guide outlining possible activities that may be adopted by industry and growers to mitigate risk. Each grower will need to evaluate the efficacy of each activity for their situation.
Industry biosecurity risk mitigation activities
Government and industry-wide Pest management and farm risk mitigation hygiene Examples include: Examples include: • quarantine legislation and regulations • pest surveillance activities • movement and import restrictions • control of vectors based on biosecurity risk • destruction of crop residues • farm level exclusion activities. • control of alternative hosts and weeds • destruction of neglected crops • use of warning and information signs People and product management • reporting suspect pests. Examples include: • exclusion activities • using pest-free propagation materials Equipment and vehicle • post-harvest product management. management
Examples include: • use of dedicated equipment in high risk Training, research and Quality areas Assurance • managing vehicle movement during
Examples include: high risk times • awareness and training activities • provision of parking and wash-down • inclusion of biosecurity in IBMP and QA facilities on-farm. schemes • response and management research and development for key pests.
Figure 6. Examples of biosecurity risk mitigation activities
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Barrier quarantine
Barrier quarantine refers to the biosecurity measures implemented at all levels of the melon industry including national, state, regional, and farm levels.
National level – importation restrictions
The Department of Agriculture is the Australian Government department responsible for maintaining and improving international trade and market access opportunities for agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and food industries. The Department of Agriculture achieves this through:
establishment of scientifically-based quarantine policies provision of effective technical advice and export certification services negotiations with key trading partners participation in multilateral forums and international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standard-setting organisations collaboration with portfolio industries and exporters.
The Department of Agriculture is responsible for developing biosecurity (SPS) risk management policy and reviewing existing quarantine measures for the importation of live animals and plants, and animal and plant products. In particular, the Department of Agriculture undertakes import risk analyses to determine which products may enter Australia, and under what quarantine conditions. The Department of Agriculture also consults with industry and the community, conducting research and developing policy and procedures to protect Australia’s animal and plant health status and natural environment. In addition, the Department of Agriculture assists Australia’s export market program by negotiating other countries’ import requirements for Australian animals and plants. Further information can be found at www.daff.gov.au.
The administrative authority for national quarantine is vested in the Department of Agriculture under the Quarantine Act 1908. Quarantine policies are developed on the basis of an IRA process. This process is outlined in the IRA Handbook 2011 (DAFF, 2011). The Department of Agriculture maintains barrier quarantine services at all international ports and in the Torres Strait region. The management of quarantine policy, as it relates to the introduction into Australia of fruit, seed, or other plant material, is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture.
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The Schedule 5 “Permitted Seeds” list from the Quarantine Proclamation 1998 is maintained on the Import Conditions (ICON) database at http://apps.daff.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_querycontent.asp. ICON contains the current Australian import conditions for more than 20,000 foreign plants, animal, mineral and human products and is the first point of access to information about Australian import requirements for a range of commodities. It can be used to determine if a commodity intended for import to Australia requires a quarantine import permit and/or treatment or if there are any other quarantine prerequisites. There are currently a number of cases for melon plants listed on ICON (see Table 11). For export conditions see the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) database at www.daff.gov.au/micor/plants.
The Department of Agriculture is responsible for the inspection of machinery and equipment being imported into Australia. Any machinery or equipment being imported into Australia must meet quarantine requirements. If there is any uncertainty, contact the Department of Agriculture on (02) 6272 3933 or 1800 020 504, or visit the website at www.daff.gov.au.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS Agreement) facilitates international trade while providing a framework to protect the human, animal and plant health of WTO members. SPS measures put in place must minimise negative effects on trade while meeting an importing country’s appropriate level of protection. For plant products these measures are delivered through the IPPC standard setting organisations and collaboration with portfolio industries and exporters. For more information on the IPPC visit www.ippc.int.
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Table 11. Import condition summary for melon listed in ICON (as at August 2013)11
Commodity End use Import Import permit Additional comments status
Citrullus spp. as Nursery Stock Permitted Required Condition for import from all countries. Phytosanitary certificate required for each consignment. listed12
Citrullus spp. as Seeds for sowing Permitted Not Required13 Condition for import from all countries. Phytosanitary certificate required for full container load listed12 consignments.
Cucumis spp. as Nursery stock Permitted Required Condition for import from all countries. Phytosanitary certificate required for each consignment. listed12
Cucumis spp. as Seeds for sowing Permitted Not Required13 Condition for import from all countries. Phytosanitary certificate required for full container load listed12 consignments.
Fruit-Frozen14 Human Permitted Not Required Condition for import from all countries. Frozen fruit pulp or flesh is permitted entry providing the skin has consumption been removed or has been processed to mince/pulverise the skin; and the fruit has been deseeded or processed to mince/pulverised the seeds. Frozen rockmelon and watermelon is only permitted entry from New Zealand. Each consignment must be accompanied by commercial documentation verifying the freezing process. It is the requirement that all food imported complies with the requirements of the Australia Food Standards Code (FSC)15.
Rockmelon – Fresh Human Permitted Required Condition for import from European countries16. All rockmelons must be sourced from an area which is consumption free of fruit flies, and, the fruit must be either sourced from a place of production free of Tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) or the fruit must be subjected to a treatment effective against the Tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta). Phytosanitary certificate required for each consignment.
11 This is a summary only and should not be used as a substitute for consulting the ICON database (www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_querycontent.asp) or the Department of Agriculture directly to confirm the details of import conditions and any recent changes 12 Refer to ICON for list of permitted species 13 Genetically modified seeds must be accompanied by a copy of a valid Import Permit 14 Only approved for rockmelon and watermelon from New Zealand 15 For more information, visit www.foodstandards.gov.au 16 European countries include Albania; Andorra; Armenia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia/ Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland, Republic of; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia; Malta; Moldavia; Monaco; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; San Marino; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Ukraine; United Kingdom; Yugoslavia
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Commodity End use Import Import permit Additional comments status
Rockmelon – Fresh Human Permitted Required Condition for import for New Zealand. The conditions under the commercial section of this listing apply. consumption Phytosanitary certificate required for each consignment.
Rockmelon – Fresh Human Not permitted Required Condition for import from South Pacific Commission countries17. consumption
Rockmelon – Fresh Human Permitted Required Condition import for the United States of America, excluding Hawaii. Each consignment must be consumption accompanied by a Phytosanitary certificate endorsed with one of the following declarations; The fruit in this consignment was soured and packed in [insert name of state] which is free of all economically significant fruit flies; or, the fruit in this consignment was sourced and packed in [insert name of County] which is an area free of all economically significant fruit flies’; or, the fruit in this consignment was sourced and packed in [insert name of county] which is an area located in excess of 15 kilometres from any fruit fly declared areas. Phytosanitary certificate required for each consignment.
Watermelons - Human Permitted Required Condition for import for European countries18. All watermelons must be sourced from an area which is Fresh consumption free of fruit flies, and, the fruit must be either sourced from a place of production free of Tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) or the fruit must be subjected to a treatment effective against the Tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta). Phytosanitary certificate required for each consignment.
Watermelons - Human Permitted Required Condition for import from South Pacific Commission countries19. All watermelons must be fumigated Fresh consumption with methyl bromide at the rate of 32g/m³ for 4 hours at 21°C or must be grown in an area free from Melon fly (Dacus cucurbitae). Phytosanitary certificate required for each consignment.
Watermelons - Human Permitted Required Condition for import for Guam and the Solomon Islands. All watermelons must be fumigated with methyl Fresh consumption bromide at the rate of 32g/m³ for 4 hours at 21°C. Phytosanitary certificate required for each consignment.
Watermelons - Human Permitted Required Condition for import for New Zealand. The conditions under the commercial section of this listing apply. Fresh consumption Phytosanitary certificate required for each consignment.
17 South Pacific Commission countries include Cook Islands; Fiji; French Polynesia; Guam; Kiribati, Republic of; Marshall Islands; Micronesia, Federated States Of; Nauru, Repub.; New Caledonia; Niue; North Mariana Islands; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Pitcairn Island; Samoa (American); Samoa (Western); Solomon Islands; Tokelau; Tonga, Kingdom Of; Tuvalu; Vanuatu; Wallis & Futuna Islands 18 European countries include Albania; Andorra; Armenia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia/ Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland, Republic of; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia; Malta; Moldavia; Monaco; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; San Marino; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Ukraine; United Kingdom; Yugoslavia 19 South Pacific Commission countries include Cook Islands; French Polynesia; Marshall Islands; Micronesia, Federated States Of; Nauru, Repub.; New Caledonia; Niue; North Mariana Islands; Palau; Pitcairn Island; Samoa (American); Tokelau; Tuvalu; Vanuatu; Wallis & Futuna Islands
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Commodity End use Import Import permit Additional comments status
Watermelons - Human Permitted Required Condition import for the United States of America, excluding Hawaii. Each consignment must be Fresh consumption accompanied by a Phytosanitary certificate endorsed with one of the following declarations; The fruit in this consignment was soured and packed in [insert name of state] which is free of all economically significant fruit flies; or, the fruit in this consignment was sourced and packed in [insert name of County] which is an area free of all economically significant fruit flies’; or, the fruit in this consignment was sourced and packed in [insert name of county] which is an area located in excess of 15 kilometres from any fruit fly declared areas. Phytosanitary certificate required for each consignment.
Watermelons - Human Permitted Not Required Condition for import from all countries. Phytosanitary certificate required for full container load Seed consumption consignments as well as a cleanliness certificate which related to the status of the exporting countries absence or presence of Khapra beetle. It is the requirement that all food imported complies with the requirements of the Australia Food Standards Code (FSC)20.
20 For more information, visit www.foodstandards.gov.au
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State and regional level – movement restrictions
The ability to control movement of materials that can carry and spread melon pests is of high importance. Each state/territory has quarantine legislation in place to control the importation of melon material interstate and intrastate, and to manage agreed pests if an incursion occurs (refer to Table 12). Further regulations have been put in place in response to specific pest threats and these are regularly reviewed and updated by state/territory authorities and the Sub-Committee for Domestic Quarantine and Market Access (SDQMA).
Moving plant material between states/territories generally requires permits from the appropriate authority, depending on the plant species and which territory/state the material is being transferred to/from. Moving plant material intrastate may also require a permit from the appropriate authority. Information on pre-importation inspection, certification and treatments and/or certification requirements for movement of melon can be obtained by contacting your local state or territory agriculture department directly (see Table 12), or through the SDQMA website www.domesticquarantine.org.au which lists relevant contacts in each state/territory as well as Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) documents relating to each state/territory.
The movement of farm vehicles and equipment between states is also restricted because of the high risk of inadvertently spreading pests. Each state/territory has quarantine legislation in place governing the movement of machinery, equipment and other potential sources of pest contamination. Information on farm vehicle and equipment movement restrictions can be found on page 71. Further information can be obtained by contacting your local state/territory department of agriculture (Table 12).
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Table 12. Interstate and interregional movement of plant products – legislation, quarantine manuals and contact numbers
State Administering authority Legislation Links to quarantine manual21 Phone
ACT Environment ACT Plant Disease Act 2002 See NSW conditions 13 22 81 www.environment.act.gov.au Pest Plants and Animals Act 2005
NSW Department of Primary Industries Plant Diseases Act 1924 www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/about/legislation 02 6391 3384 -acts/plant-diseases www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Plant Diseases Regulation 2008 Noxious Weeds Act 1993 Noxious Weeds Regulation 2008
NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries Plant Health Act 2008 www.nt.gov.au/d/Primary_Industry/index.cfm? 08 8999 2118 newscat1=&newscat2=&header=NT%20Quaran www.nt.gov.au/d/Primary_Industry Plant Health Regulations 2011 tine
Qld Biosecurity Queensland, a part of the Plant Protection Act 1989 www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/moving-plants- 132 52322 Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and and-plant-products Plant Protection Regulation 2002 23 Forestry, Queensland 07 3404 6999 www.daff.qld.gov.au/4790.htm
SA Primary Industries and Regions SA Plant Health Act 2009 www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/planthealth/le 08 8207 7820 gislation/plant_quarantine_standard www.pir.sa.gov.au Plant Health Regulations 2010
Tas Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water Plant Quarantine Act 1997 http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity/quarantin 1300 368 550 and Environment e-tasmania/importing-plants/plant-quarantine- Weed Management Act 1999 www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au manual-2014
Vic Department of Environment and Primary Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 www.depi.vic.gov.au/psb 136 186 Industries Plant Biosecurity Regulations 2012 www.depi.vic.gov.au
WA Department of Agriculture and Food Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act 2007 www.agric.wa.gov.au/qtine/default.asp 08 9334 1800 www.agric.wa.gov.au
21 If the link does not work, the relevant documents can be found by going to the department home page and checking the quarantine section of each website 22 Within Qld 23 Interstate
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New South Wales Information on pre-importation inspection, certification and treatment requirements may be obtained from DPI NSW Regulatory Services by phone 02 6391 3384 or by visiting the NSW Department of Primary Industries website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/about/legislation- acts/plant-diseases.
Northern Territory Administrative authority for regional quarantine in the Northern Territory (NT) is vested in the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) under the Plant Health Act 2008 and Plant Health Regulations 2011. The Act enables notifiable pests to be gazetted, quarantine areas to be declared and inspectors appointed to carry out wide ranging control and/or eradication measures. Plant import requirements for particular pests, plants or plant related materials are identified in the Regulations. Further information on NT import requirements and treatments can be obtained by contacting NT Quarantine on (08) 8999 5511 or email [email protected].
For more information refer to the DPIF website (www.nt.gov.au/d).
Queensland Information on specific pre-importation inspection, treatments and/or certification requirements for movement of any fruit or plant material into Queensland, as well as maps of pest quarantine areas, may be obtained from the Biosecurity Queensland part of the DAFF Queensland website (www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/moving-plants-and-plant-products). Queensland also has intra-state restrictions on the movement of cucurbits (including cucumber, melon, pumpkin, squash and zucchini). Movement of cucurbits out of the Papaya Ringspot Pest Quarantine Area (http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/health/plantmovements/papaya-ringspot-pqa.pdf) is regulated, with Inspector’s Approvals under the Plant Protection Act 1989 required (http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/moving-plants-and-plant-products/into-or-within- queensland/inspectors-approvals). Further details can be obtained from the DAFF Queensland Customer Service Centre (13 25 23 within Queensland, or phone 07 3404 6999 or fax 07 3404 6900 interstate).
South Australia Information on pre-importation inspection, certification and treatments and/or certification requirements for movement of fruit or plant material in South Australia (SA) may be obtained from Biosecurity SA - Plant Health by phone (08) 8207 7820 or fax (08) 8207 7844. Further information can be found at www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/planthealth.
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Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) have strict regulations and requirements regarding the entry of plant material (including melon plants) into the State of SA. Melon plants and plant material are not permitted to enter SA unless accompanied by a Plant Health Certificate or Plant Health Assurance Certificate issued by a departmental inspector or accredited business in the State of origin. The original certificate must accompany plants during transport. A transport manifest, detailing all plant consignments, must be sent to PIRSA (fax 08 8124 1467 or email to [email protected]) prior to plants arriving in SA. For further information on import conditions consult the Plant Quarantine Standard (www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/planthealth/legislation).
Tasmania Information on specific pre-importation inspection, treatments and/or certification requirements for movement of any fruit or plant material into Tasmania may be obtained from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) Biosecurity website (www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity) or by phoning 1300 368 550.
General and specific import conditions apply to the importation of plant material into Tasmania to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases into the State. Plants and plant products must not be imported into Tasmania unless State import requirements are met and a Notice of Intention to import has been provided to a Quarantine Tasmania inspector not less than 24 hours prior to the importation.
For further information on import conditions consult the Plant Quarantine Manual (http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity/quarantine-tasmania/importing-plants/plant- quarantine-manual-2014).
Victoria Information on pre-importation inspection, certification and treatments and/or certification requirements for movement of fruit or plant material into or within Victoria may be obtained from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) on the web at www.depi.vic.gov.au/psb or by phone 136 186.
The movement into Victoria of plants and plant products may be subject to a prohibition, or to one or more conditions which may include chemical treatments. These prohibitions and conditions are described on the Department of Environment and Primary Industries website (see link in Table 12). Some items may need to be presented to a DEPI inspector, or an accredited business, for checking of details such as correct certification, labelling or treatment.
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Western Australia The lead agency for agricultural biosecurity in Western Australia is the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA). Western Australia is naturally free from a large number of pests and diseases that are present in many other parts of the world. WA’s geographical isolation in conjunction with a robust plant biosecurity system including border and intrastate regulations, industry and public awareness campaigns and surveillance programs maintains this status.
There are general and specific legislative requirements which underpin Western Australian plant biosecurity. Amongst other things the legislation regulates movement of potential carriers (such as plant material, honey, machinery, seeds etc) into and within the state.
General conditions include (but are not limited to the following):
The requirement for all potential carriers to be presented to an inspector for inspection upon arrival in WA Soil is prohibited entry and imported goods, including containers, must be free from soil Freedom from pests and diseases of quarantine concern to WA
In addition to the general requirements, specific requirements are also in place for movement into and within the state.
For further information on requirements contact Quarantine WA on (08) 9334 1800 or fax (08) 9334 1880.
Farm level – exclusion activities
A significant risk of spreading pests onto farms arises when propagation material, people, machinery and equipment move from property to property and from region to region. It is the responsibility of the industry and the owner/manager of each property to ensure these risks are minimised.
It is in the interests of industry to encourage and monitor the management of risk at the farm level, as this will reduce the probability of an incursion and increase the probability of early detection. This should in turn reduce the likelihood of a costly incident response, thereby reducing costs to industry, government and the community.
One major way this can be achieved is through management of industry biosecurity at the farm level using exclusion practices. Further detail on potential strategies is included in the Farm Biosecurity section (page 64). This could be used as a reference source for developing extension material for promoting good farm hygiene.
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Nurseries and retailers – ‘hitch-hikers’
Nurseries and retail outlets, including chain stores, can be the primary distributors of melon nursery material in a region. It is vital to ensure that pests are not introduced into new areas as ‘hitch-hikers’ on nursery material.
Produce transporters and purchasers for retail outlets (e.g. Woolworths, Bunnings, Coles) must obtain advice from state/territory quarantine authorities before moving melon material between regions or interstate. Advice in all states/territories is available free of charge from the Domestic Quarantine website (www.domesticquarantine.org.au).
Nursery stock should be labelled in a manner that allows the source to be identified for trace- back purposes. Where pest or disease symptoms are found on nursery stock it is important to identify the causal agent. New or unfamiliar pests should be reported for identification (see Reporting Suspect Pests section on page 77).
Good nursery hygiene practices help to prevent pest spread. The Nursery and Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme (NIASA) and similar schemes provide guidelines for nursery owners and growing media suppliers for maintaining hygiene standards. Examples of relevant nursery hygiene practices include training of staff to recognise pest and disease symptoms, controlling pests in nursery crops, and sterilisation of growing media and equipment. Information on NIASA can be obtained from the NGIA (www.ngia.com.au) or the Nursery and Garden industry office in your state/territory.
Surveillance
Surveys enhance prospects for early detection, minimise costs of eradication and are necessary to meet the treaty obligations of the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS) with respect to the area freedom status of Australia’s states, territories and regions.
The SPS agreement gives WTO members the right to impose SPS measures to protect human, animal and plant life health provided such measures do not serve as technical barriers to trade. In other words, for countries (such as Australia) that have signed the SPS Agreement, imports of food, including fresh fruit and vegetables, can only be restricted on proper, science-based quarantine grounds. Where quarantine conditions are imposed, these
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will be the least trade restrictive measures available that meet Australia’s appropriate level of quarantine protection. The agreement also stipulates that claims of area freedom must be supported by appropriate information, including evidence from surveillance and monitoring activities. This is termed “evidence of absence” data and is used to provide support that we have actively looked for pests and not found them.
There are currently no international standards for structured pest surveys. Their planning and implementation depends on the risk involved, the resources available, and the requirements of trading partners (particularly when Australia wishes to access overseas markets). The intensity and timing of surveys also depend on the spread characteristics of the pest and the costs of eradication.
Early detection of an exotic incursion can significantly increase the likelihood of a successful eradication campaign, and reduce the associated costs. Effective surveillance plays a critical role in working toward this goal. Surveillance can be either targeted toward specific pests, or general in nature. General non-targeted surveillance is based on recognising normal versus suspect plant material. Targeted surveillance is important for establishing whether particular pests are present in each state or region, and if so, where these occur.
Industry personnel can provide very effective general surveillance as part of their normal management procedures (i.e. ‘passive surveillance’), provided individuals are aware of what to look for and of reporting procedures. Consultants and crop scouts can provide valuable information as they are regularly in the field, and hence can observe any unusual pest activity or symptoms on plants.
National surveillance programs
The Department of Agriculture maintains barrier quarantine services at all international ports and in the Torres Strait region. The Department of Agriculture also surveys the northern coast of Australia, offshore islands and neighbouring countries for exotic pests that may have reached the country through other channels (e.g. illegal vessel landings in remote areas, bird migrations, wind currents) as part of the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS). NAQS surveillance programs relevant to the melon industry are listed in Table 13.
State surveillance programs
State level surveillance depends on the participation of all stakeholder groups, particularly state/territory agriculture departments, industry representative groups, agri-business and growers.
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The state/territory agriculture department can provide:
planning and auditing surveillance systems coordination of surveillance activities between industry and interstate groups diagnostic services field diagnosticians for special field surveillance surveillance on non-commercial sites liaison services with industry members communication, training and extension strategies with industry biosecurity training reporting services to all interested parties (Department of Agriculture, national bodies, trading partners and industry).
Various pest surveillance programs are managed by the Department of Agriculture and the state/territory agriculture departments. Many state/territory departments run general surveillance programs whereby suspect samples can be forwarded and diagnosed for the presence of exotic pests free of charge. Official surveillance programs that target pests of the melon industry (exotic or those under official control in a region or state/territory) are shown in Table 13.
Table 13. Official surveillance programs that target pests of the melon industry (as at December 2013)24
Surveillance State/region Melon pests targeted Host targeted program
NAQS pest and Australia’s northern Fruit fly (Bactrocera Broad range of disease surveys coastline from Cairns to spp. atrisetosa, tropical horticultural (multiple Broome (Qld, NT and cucurbitae, decipiens, and agricultural surveillance WA), Including the latifrons, tau) species grown in programs) Torres Strait – natural Coconut bug home gardens and environments, communities across (Amblypelta agricultural and northern Australia cocophaga) community regions, ports of entry
NAQS exotic fruit Torres Strait – Exotic fruit flies Fruit, vegetables fly trapping community regions (Bactrocera spp.) program – Torres Strait
National exotic Urban regions near Exotic fruit flies Horticulture fruit fly trapping major ports of entry of (Bactrocera spp.) program – ports of NT and all states except entry Tas and SA
Jurisdictional programs
Exotic fruit flies NSW Exotic fruit flies Horticulture
24 Information presented has been taken from the National Plant Health Status Report 2013 and confirmed or updated in January 2014 by the Subcommittee on National Plant Health Surveillance (sub-committee of the Plant Health Committee)
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Surveillance State/region Melon pests targeted Host targeted program
Urban hazard site NSW (Sydney basin) Solanum fruit fly Multiple surveillance (Bactrocera latifrons) Melon necrotic NSW Melon necrotic spot Field crop melons spot virus virus (Melon necrotic (Finished March 2014) spot virus) (Carmovirus) Exotics Fruit fly NT Exotic fruit flies Horticulture and monitoring suburbs
Whitefly NT Silverleaf whitefly Nursery stock surveillance (Bemisia tabaci B type)
Exotic fruit fly QLD Exotic fruit flies Fruits and vegetables trapping (Bactrocera spp) Exotic fruit flies SA Exotic fruit flies Horticulture (Bactrocera spp)
Fruit fly trapping Tas Fruit fly Bactrocera Horticulture program cucurbitae) Silverleaf whitefly Tas Silverleaf whitefly Nursery stock host (Bemisia tabaci) plants Fruit fly monitoring Vic Exotic fruit flies Horticulture and surveillance
Fruit fly WA Fruit flies (Bactrocera Horticultural crops - port trapping and spp and Dacus spp) surveillance in Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA)
Farm and nursery surveillance activities
Farm level surveillance involves the participation and interaction of growers, agribusiness and industry representative groups. Examples of the surveillance activities that can be carried out by each of these groups are outlined in Figure 7. Conducting regular surveys of farms and nurseries provides the best chance of spotting new pests early and implementing eradication or management responses.
Nurseries operating to NIASA guidelines are required to monitor pest activity in the nursery, effectively control pests, and keep a pest management record diary.
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Industry representative groups Example activities include: • carrying out surveillance on commercial properties • liaising with agriculture departments • reporting suspect pests • provision of farm surveillance records • coordination of grower surveillance • funding commercial surveillance activities • working with agriculture departments to develop awareness, training and extension programs • carrying out training.
Agribusiness Farm level Example activities include: surveillance requires • distribution of extension material • assistance with training the involvement of: • receiving suspect samples • supplying surveillance equipment (e.g. traps and diagnostic kits) • providing diagnostic services to growers.
Growers Example activities include: • implementation of surveillance on properties • reporting of suspect pests • provision of records of farm surveillance • attending training • raising awareness of staff and providing training • meeting agriculture department and industry surveillance requirements • ensuring identification material and sampling kits are available for staff.
Figure 7. Examples of farm level surveillance activities
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Training
A key component of biosecurity preparedness is ensuring personnel engaged are suitable and effectively trained for their designated roles. Biosecurity preparedness training is the responsibility of all parties, government and industry, involved in the biosecurity system.
National EPP Training Program PHA supports members in training personnel through the delivery of the National EPP Training Program. This program is focussed on ensuring personnel have the skills and knowledge to effectively fulfil the roles and responsibilities of parties under the EPPRD. This covers a range of areas, from representatives on the national decision making committees (i.e. the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests and the National Management Group) through to industry liaison personnel in the Local Control Centre,
In addition to face to face training delivered to members and the provision of simulation exercises, PHA also offers biosecurity training through BOLT, and online training platform. Access to BOLT is free and open to any stakeholder interested in biosecurity, and is available through www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/bolt.
For more information on the National EPP Training program, refer to www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/training.
Awareness
Early reporting enhances the chance of effective control and eradication. Awareness activities (such as the postcard shown in Figure 8) raise the profile of biosecurity and exotic pest threats to the melon industry, which increases the chance of early detection and reporting of suspect pests. Responsibility for awareness material lies with industry and government, with assistance from PHA as appropriate. Any unusual plant pest should be reported immediately to the relevant state/territory agriculture department.
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Figure 8. Postcard from Plant Health Australia’s Plant Health Awareness campaign
High priority plant pest threat-related documents
Pests listed in Table 7 have been identified as high priority threats to the melon industry by members of the IBG. They have been assessed as having high entry, establishment and spread potentials and/or a high economic impact. This list should provide the basis for the development of awareness material for the industry.
Further information on high priority pests In addition to the fact sheets listed in Table 22, the websites listed below (Table 14) contain information on pests across most plant industries, including the melon industry.
Table 14. Sources of information on high priority pest threats for the melon industry
Source Website
Department of Agriculture www.daff.gov.au
Pest and Disease Image Library (PaDIL) www.padil.gov.au
DAFF Queensland A-Z list of significant www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/health-pests-diseases/a-z- plant pests and diseases significant
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Source Website
University of California Statewide www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/EXOTIC/exoticpestsmenu.html Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
Knowledge Master25 www.extento.hawaii.edu/Kbase/crop/crop.htm
European and Mediterranean Plant www.eppo.int/DATABASES/pqr/pqr.htm Protection Organization (EPPO)
25 Developed by University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and Hawaii Department of Agriculture
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Further information/relevant web sites
A range of government and grower organisation details and websites are provided below (Table 15) for persons seeking further information on melon industry biosecurity.
Table 15. Relevant sources of further biosecurity information for the melon industry
Agency Website/email Phone Address
National
Australian Melon Association Inc. www.melonsaustralia.org.au 0413 101 646 PO Box 913 Kenmore, Qld 4069
Department of Agriculture www.daff.gov.au (02) 6272 3933 GPO Box 858 1800 020 504 Canberra, ACT 2601
Plant Health Australia www.planthealthaustralia.com.au (02) 6215 7700 Level 1, 1 Phipps Cl [email protected] Deakin, ACT 2600
New South Wales
Department of Primary Industries http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant (02) 6938 1976 Locked Bag 21 Orange, NSW 2800
Queensland
Biosecurity Queensland, a part of the Department of www.daff.qld.gov.au 13 25 2326 80 Ann Street Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland [email protected] 07 3404 699927 Brisbane, QLD 4000
Northern Territory
Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries www.nt.gov.au/d/Primary_Industry (08) 8999 5511 Berrimah Farm, Makagon Road [email protected] Berrimah, NT 0828
26 Within Qld 27 Interstate
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Agency Website/email Phone Address
South Australia
Primary Industries and Regions SA www.pir.sa.gov.au (08) 8226 0900 GPO Box 1671 www.pir.sa.gov.au/pirsa/content/customer_enquiry_form Adelaide, SA 5001
Biosecurity SA-Plant Health www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/planthealth (08) 8207 7820 33 Flemington Street Glenside, SA 5065
South Australian Research and Development Institute www.sardi.sa.gov.au (08) 8303 9400 2b Hartley Grove [email protected] Urrbrae, SA 5064
Tasmania
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au 1300 368 550 GPO Box 44, Environment [email protected] Hobart, TAS 7001
Victoria
Department of Environment and Primary Industries www.depi.vic.gov.au 136 186 Plant Biosecurity and Product Integrity Private bag 15 Ferntree Gully Delivery Centre, Vic 3156
Western Australia
Department of Agriculture and Food www.agric.wa.gov.au (08) 9368 3333 DAFWA [email protected] 3 Baron-Hay Court South Perth, WA 6151
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Farm biosecurity
Introduction
Plant pests can have a major impact on production if not managed effectively. This includes pests already present in Australia and a number of serious pests of melons that Australia does not have.
Farm biosecurity measures can be used to minimise the spread of such pests before their presence is known or after they are identified, and therefore can greatly increase the likelihood that they could be eradicated. This section of the document outlines farm biosecurity and hygiene measures to help reduce the impact of pests on the industry. Any measures implemented to increase farm biosecurity also help reduce the spread of endemic pests which may be restricted to certain regions of Australia.
Selection and preparation of appropriate plant material
Bottom line Using high health melon planting material reduces the pest load and improves farm biosecurity
Melon plants and propagation material should not be distributed without screening for pests. Infected planting material is the main source of spread for some serious pests. Material from infected plants may appear healthy, so the outward appearance of planting material cannot be regarded as a reliable indicator of pest status. Soil carried on plants can harbour pathogens or pests, such as fungal spores or nematodes.
Selecting appropriate cultivars
Bottom line Growers should investigate all variety and cultivar options available at the time of planting or replanting
Cultivar selection is a very important aspect of farm production. Factors that need to be taken into account include fruit quality for the end use, suitability to the climate of the specific region and potentially tolerance or resistance to certain pests. As these factors are so variable and situation specific, it is advisable that grower’s investigate all variety and cultivar options available at the time of planting or replanting. For more information on varieties available visit the Australian Melon Association Inc. website www.melonsaustralia.org.au.
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Chemical control measures
Bottom line Appropriate training and advice on safe chemical use should be obtained prior to application of chemicals
Chemical control programs may be required during crop growth to control pests or may be required around the farm to control weeds or volunteers that may harbour pests. A planned and effective monitoring and pest management program, prepared in consultation with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) consultant and/or your local state/territory agriculture department officer, will minimise the impact of pests on your crop.
Growers, their staff, and contractors applying chemical products are required by law to complete certain training in an accredited course, depending upon the state/territory in question.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is the national authority responsible for registration and deregistration of chemicals and can be contacted by phone on (02) 6210 4701. The APVMA Permit Section deals specifically with emergency registrations for chemicals. Further information can be obtained from the APVMA web site (www.apvma.gov.au) or via their free smartphone application.
Control of vectors
Bottom line Pest vectors, such as insects, people and machinery can increase the spread of some diseases and weeds
Many viruses and some bacteria require a vector to provide a means of dispersal. Biological vectors can include invertebrates such as insects and mites, nematodes, fungi, birds and people, and non-biological vectors such as machinery carrying infected/infested soil can transport plant pests to new areas. The activity and mobility of the vector determines the rate and distance of dispersal. Some insects may not be vectors but can increase the severity or facilitate the spread of pathogens.
Inspection and cleaning of vehicles, machinery and equipment (such as pruning tools) helps to prevent pest spread, as does cleaning of footwear and restricting unnecessary people movements around the farm. Consideration should also be given to the control of known vectors of plant pathogens as the ongoing management of known vectors will limit the spread of the associated pathogen.
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The use of chemicals to control vectors can have a number of potentially adverse effects on the production and marketing of melons including chemical residues on produce that may limit market access, and chemical resistance that may develop in target pests.
IPM practices, such as the use of natural enemies and pheromone traps, can be effective methods of managing vectors while also reducing the threat of insecticide resistance. Advice on IPM and control of melon pests can be obtained from your local state/territory agriculture department.
Control of alternative hosts
Bottom line Pest management protocols can be enhanced through the control of alternative hosts
Control of weeds Weed species are significant biosecurity problems in their own right, as well as acting as alternative hosts for horticultural pests. Weed control practices can limit the survival of pests between seasons and reduce the spread of pests between areas. Details of any alternative hosts will be included in previously developed pest specific contingency plans for high priority melon pests (see Contingency Planning and Response Management section of this plan on page 80).
Control of ornamentals Ornamental plants that are present around cropping areas are of concern as they can harbour disease inoculum and insect pests which can become established in subsequent crops. Strategies for the segregation or destruction of ornamentals should be adopted depending on the pest involved. Specific advice should be sought from the relevant state/territory agriculture department.
Destruction of crop residues
Bottom line Proper management of crop residues reduces the pest load on your next crop
As many plant pests and pathogens survive on crop residues and crop by-products, residues should be treated responsibly. The removal of dead leaves and plant residues from the farm can reduce the over seasoning of some pests in the farm and the initial pest load the following season. Protocols for the destruction or treatment of affected crop material should be developed for ‘ordinary’ crop waste and for crop waste potentially containing high risk pests.
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Burying, covering fallen leaf litter with mulch, hot composting, burning or removing crop residues, and cleaning residues from equipment and machinery are effective cultural control practices that may be adopted. When developing protocols some issues that will determine the effectiveness of crop residue treatment will include:
the extent of the cropping area or volume of material to be disposed of the survival mechanism, dispersal ability, and host range of the pathogen environmental and legislative constraints on the disposal methods.
Potentially infected or infested waste plant material emanating from melon farms should be destroyed using a method that has been shown to kill the target pest(s). Options include:
Burning – burning is a good option particularly if a hot fire can be maintained as very few plant pests survive high temperatures for a length of time. One of the key management measures used in exotic plant pest eradication programs is the burning of all host material. Burial – deep burial away from production areas is an effective means of disposing of plant material removed due to the suspected presence of plant pests. Mulching – mulching is the least-preferred way of managing high risk plant material as it leaves residual infected material within the production area and increases the ability to spread the infection (by wind and contractor movements) to neighbouring crops. However mulching can be a cheap and effective method as it greatly increases the rate of plant decomposition.
Neglected farms and volunteer plants
Bottom line Reduce the ability of pests to spread and establish through the removal of neglected plants
Neglected farms and volunteer plants potentially pose a high biosecurity risk to the melon industry, as they may allow pests to multiply, become established and spread.
Control of derelict farms, volunteer and feral crop plants should be proactive to reduce the risk of pest establishment and spread if an incursion does occur. In general the problem is caused by some members of the community and not by industry. The industry is strongly supportive of the need for this host burden to be removed.
Suspected neglected or volunteer plants should be reported to one of the authorities listed in Table 16. After reporting, appropriate steps may be taken by the relevant authority to ensure the neglected plants do not carry pests or pose a risk to nearby or adjacent farms. Table 16
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also provides a summary of the actions that may be carried out in each state under relevant legislation.
Control of native melon species (e.g. jam melon, prickly cucumber, etc) within and close to crops should also be considered, as these plants can act as significant pest reservoirs and allow pests to survive between melon crops
Table 16. Authorities responsible for dealing with neglected, feral or volunteer plants
State Authority Legislation Actions enabled
NSW DPI Plant Diseases Act 1924 The Plant Diseases Act 1924 provides powers to quarantine and requires owners to treat plants harbouring pests or diseases. The Act gives officers the power to destroy plants within neglected or abandoned orchards or nurseries, if they are likely to harbour or spread diseases or pests.
NT DPIF Plant Health Act 2008 There is no provision for control of neglected farms unless a declared pest or disease has Plant Health Regulations been detected on the farm or in the near 2011 vicinity and specified action or removal is required by a notice from the Chief Inspector, for plants to be destroyed. Costs incurred may be recovered if conducted by DPIF.
Qld DAFF Qld Plant Protection Act 1989 The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland has no particular Plant Protection Regulation powers on neglected farms, unless they are 2002 infested with a declared pest.
SA PIRSA Plant Health Act 2009 There is no provision under SA’s Plant Health Act 2009 for control of neglected farms unless a declared pest or disease has been detected in the farm or in the near vicinity and specified action or removal is required by Ministerial Notice.
Tas DPIPWE Plant Quarantine Act 1997 Though there are no specific legislative provisions to deal with neglected farms. Biosecurity Tasmania advise that neglected farms should be reported to the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, or the State Grower Industry representative. Neglected farms may be removed if they present a risk to adjacent farms by harbouring populations of pests or diseases on the "Annual List of List A and List B Pests and Diseases". Copies of these lists are available on request from DPIPWE Tasmania or at http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity/plant- biosecurity/tasmanian-plant-biosecurity-pest- lists.
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State Authority Legislation Actions enabled
Vic DEPI Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 Under the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010, if an inspector knows or reasonably suspects that any plant or plant product is affected by any plant pest or disease on any land, and he or she reports it to the Secretary, a notice may be issued requiring that the owner or occupier control, eradicate or destroy the affected plants or plant produce.
WA DAFWA Biosecurity and Agricultural Neglected production plants in Western Management Act 2007 Australia can be removed or destroyed if required, under order by the Minister.
Growers wishing to remain anonymous when reporting suspected neglected or feral crops may report through their local or national grower association (for contact details refer to Table 20, page 85).
Post-harvest handling and produce transport procedures
Bottom line Pest spread off-property can be reduced through providing appropriate wash- down facilities for machinery and equipment and checking for pest activity in the farm. Produce identification systems provide a mechanism for tracing pests following an incursion.
Vehicles that are used to harvest or to transport melons, particularly if moving between farms, should be cleaned to remove soil and plant matter. This will help to minimise the risk of pest spread. For this purpose, all farms should have access to a high pressure wash down facility that is associated with a hard surface e.g. concrete or tarmac pad.
It is preferable that wash down facilities are located on the property, or failing this, close to the property. At a minimum wash down facilities should be located within the same region as the property. Detergent based disinfectants should be considered. Water draining from the wash down facility should not be directed back into fields or the farm irrigation water supply.
Growers should maintain effective pest monitoring and management programs. This includes keeping records of pest incursions and the control measures used. Clients receiving the produce should be informed of the produce source and whether the material has come from an area experiencing a pest incursion.
Restrictions may be placed on the introduction or movement of melons by individual states or territories, for example, specifying the use of certain transport routes, container types or consignment management procedures (including the need for inspection prior to
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consignment). If proposing to move melons within or between quarantine areas, or between states, transporters should first check with state authorities to find out what regulations apply (see Barrier Quarantine section, page 44).
Identification and tracking systems will assist in tracing produce consignments to their source if they are subsequently found to be contaminated with an exotic pest. Consignments should be clearly marked with the grower’s name or code, and a batch identification mark (date or other code). Growers should maintain a record of the source and destination of each batch, and identify separate growing areas on a property map.
Post-harvest handling and produce transport procedures that minimise the risk of pest movement should be developed further and promoted within the industry.
Up-to-date advice on movement restrictions must always be sought before moving melon planting material and products. This can be obtained from the Domestic Quarantine website (www.domesticquarantine.org.au), or enquiries can be made directly to your local state or territory agriculture department.
Use of warning and information signs
Bottom line Warning signs tell visitors to your property that you have biosecurity measures in place that minimise the spread of pests
Place warning and information signs on the entrances and gates of properties (where practicable) to help inform visitors of your biosecurity practices, and remind workers that farm biosecurity is a priority. Signs should also include up-to-date contact details for people to gain further information. Visitors to the area may not be aware of relevant biosecurity protocols.
All people entering the property should have a clear view of any informative signs. Signs should contain simple messages (e.g. do not enter the property without prior approval, use wash down facilities for cleaning vehicles and machinery). An example biosecurity sign is shown in Figure 9.
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Figure 9. Example biosecurity warning and information sign
Managing the movement of vehicles and farm equipment
Bottom line Vehicles and farm equipment can carry a range of pests, especially in attached soil or plant debris. Preventing spread of plant and soil debris, by washing down machinery or denying access to dirty machinery, can prevent new pest introductions onto your property.
A high risk of spreading pests comes from movements of people, machinery and equipment between regions and farms. This risk can be reduced by ensuring plant material and soil that may harbour pests is not moved between properties or regions.
This section deals only with movements between farms and growing regions. For interstate or international movements of farm equipment and vehicles, contact your state/territory agriculture department (Table 12) or the Department of Agriculture, respectively.
Movement of vehicles and equipment between farms and between regions can potentially spread pests. Vehicles (including cars, trucks and farm equipment such as tractors) can carry soil and soil-borne pathogens (especially when muddy) and plant debris may have weed seeds or may carry pests (including pathogens or insects).
While it is not always practical to stop these movements on and off your farm, a number of measures can be used to reduce the risk of pest spread by this route. These include:
visually inspect machinery and equipment (e.g. packing trays, trucks and any other equipment) for signs of soil or plant material before it comes onto your property clean soil, plant or other debris from equipment or vehicles (especially equipment used on crops directly) prior to entering or leaving the property use high-pressure wash down facilities (ideally with a concrete or tarmac pad for cleaning vehicles and equipment), not allowing wash down runoff to enter the
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production areas of the farm or irrigation sources and for hedging equipment, use bleach as well as high pressure water regularly survey the area surrounding the wash down facilities, and runoff zones, for pests restrict movements of vehicles and people (where possible) during high-risk periods, including avoiding moving vehicles and machinery, particularly when roads are wet and muddy assign certain equipment (including clothing, tools and footwear) to be used on pest infected areas, ensuring that the equipment used in infected properties or infected areas is not reused in clean areas – and vice versa provide a designated parking area at the front of the property transport visitors, contractors, employees and government officials using vehicles based permanently on the property cover harvested crops to prevent plant material from blowing off during transit to the packing house.
National controls The Department of Agriculture is responsible for the inspection of machinery and equipment being imported into Australia. Administrative authority for national quarantine is vested in the Department of Agriculture under the Quarantine Act 1908. Any machinery or equipment being imported into Australia must meet quarantine requirements. If there is any uncertainty, contact the Department of Agriculture on (02) 6272 3933 or 1800 020 504, or visit the website at www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/import.
State controls Each state has quarantine legislation in place governing the movement of machinery, equipment and other potential sources of pest contamination (Table 12). A summary of the movement restrictions can be found in Table 17 with additional information available in quarantine manuals (Table 12) and on the Domestic Quarantine website (www.domesticquarantine.org.au).
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Table 17. State/territory restrictions on movement of machinery and equipment
State Authority Legislation Control procedures
NSW NSW DPI Plant Diseases Act 1924 Restrictions apply to movement of machinery and equipment into NSW that may have come Noxious Weeds Act 1993 into contact with rice pests, Onion smut, Noxious Weeds Panama disease Tropical race 4, Red imported Regulation 2008 fire ants, Lupin anthracnose, Potato cyst nematode or Grapevine phylloxera. Requirements regarding the inspection and cleaning of machinery for weed seeds are covered by the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 and Noxious Weeds Regulation 2008.
NT DPIF Plant Health Act 2008 A permit is required for the movement of agricultural machinery & equipment and mining Plant Health Regulations and earthmoving machinery & equipment into 2011 the NT. Restrictions are in place to control movement of machinery, equipment and persons from gazetted quarantine areas. Contact NT Quarantine on (08) 8999 2118.
Qld DAFF Qld Plant Protection Act 1989 Restrictions apply to the entry of machinery and equipment. Contact Biosecurity Plant Protection Queensland through the DAFF Queensland Regulation 2002 Customer Service Centre on (07) 3404 6999.
SA PIRSA Plant Health Act Restrictions apply to freedom from soil and 2009«SAmachinery» plant material for the movement of used agricultural machinery into SA to prevent introduction of pests and diseases of interest e.g. Phylloxera or Potato cyst nematodes.
Tas DPIPWE Plant Quarantine Act 1997 Requirements regarding the inspection and cleaning of machinery coming to Tasmania are Weed Management Act covered by the 1999 «Tasmachinery» Plant Quarantine Act 1997 (Section 55), Sections 2.6 to 2.8 of the Plant Quarantine Manual Tasmania, and the Weed Management Act 1999. Machinery and equipment must be free from soil, plant trash, plants, declared weed seeds and other declared diseases or organisms.
Vic DEPI Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 Restrictions may apply to movement of machinery into or within Victoria to prevent Plant Health and Plant spread of pests and diseases of interest for a Products Regulations range of commodities (mainly regarding soil 2006«Vicmachinery» borne pests, such as annual rye grass toxicity, phylloxera and potato cyst nematode).
WA DAFWA Biosecurity and Machinery and equipment entering Western Agricultural Management Australia must be presented for inspection and Act 2007 be free from soil and plant material. Additional specific requirements apply for some machinery and equipment. For further information on requirements contact Quarantine Western Australia on (08) 9334 1800 or fax (08) 9334 1880.
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Movement of people
Bottom line People can also carry pests, particularly on boots and clothing. Inform people of your biosecurity measures and provide hygiene options such as foot baths to minimise pest spread by visitors.
Movement of people between farms and between regions can also spread pests, especially on muddy boots or clothing that have been worn on another farm. While it is not always practical to stop movements of people on and off your farm, a number of measures can be used to reduce the spread of pests by this route. Suitable strategies include:
ensure all visitors to your property report directly to your office or house on arrival ensure all visitors and employees are aware of the importance of keeping footwear and clothing free from loose dirt and plant matter before entering or leaving the property supply footwear or footbaths (with a scrubbing brush) to avoid spread of soil or mud, and use a strong cleansing solution in the footbath such as ‘Farmcleanse®’ detergent use signs to alert people that biosecurity measures need to be undertaken and to report to the office/house brief staff, contractors and visitors on your farm hygiene measures provide biosecurity training for employees during their induction find out if your visitors have recently arrived from overseas.
Visiting overseas farms
Bottom line Production regions overseas may have devastating pests that Australia does not have – before returning, wash your clothes, boots, hats and hair, and declare your visit to quarantine!
When visiting production regions and farms overseas that may have pests not present in Australia, care should be taken not to inadvertently introduce these pests into Australia. Prior to returning from a visit, individuals should thoroughly wash all clothing and footwear used during the visit as well as their hair, which may carry bacterial and fungal spores or weed seeds. Also, any visits to farms should be declared on re-entry documentation as required.
Including farm biosecurity in Industry Best Management Practice and Quality Assurance schemes
Bottom line Growing melons following Industry Best Management Practice and Quality Assurance schemes ensures high quality produce and reduces the impact and
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spread of pests
Including farm biosecurity measures into established Industry Best Management Practice (IBMP) and Quality Assurance (QA) schemes will strengthen your ability to rapidly detect, control and eradicate exotic pest incursions in the melon industry before extensive damage occurs. IBMP and QA schemes that could help support farm biosecurity best practice are listed in Table 19.
Table 18. Melon industry IBMP and QA schemes
Scheme Key areas of biosecurity relevance
Freshcare Code of Practice Freshcare is the industry-owned, national, on-farm food safety program for the fresh produce industry. Freshcare links food safety on farm to the quality and food safety programs of the other members of the fresh produce supply chain.
Codex Hazard Analysis Critical HACCP certification provides a recognised endorsement of food Control Point (HACCP) safety excellence.
Safe Quality Food (SQF) 2000 SQF Codes provide primary producers (SQF 1000) and food for packers and processors & manufacturers, retailers, agents and exporters (SQF 2000) with a food SQF 1000 for producers safety and quality management certification program that is tailored to their requirements and enables suppliers to meet regulatory, food safety and commercial quality criteria. The SQF Codes are owned and managed by the Food Marketing Institute of the USA.
Woolworths Quality Assurance WQA is focussed on both quality and safety of all products supplied. Standard (WQA) All Trade Partners that are suppliers of Fresh Food or Private Label products to Woolworths are required to attain certification to the WQA Standard, in addition to existing regulatory or voluntary audits that may be currently in place.
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Pollination services and biosecurity
Bottom line Encouraging good bee biosecurity practices provides benefits to beekeepers and growers, and protects the honey bee and pollination-dependent industries, such as the Australian melon industry
Growers of melons require pollination services to maximise the quantity and quality of product grown. However, bringing in beekeepers to satisfy the crops requirement for pollination can result in some unique biosecurity risks.
It is possible that pests can be carried and spread between properties by beekeepers through soil, apiary equipment, vehicles, clothing and boots. This could introduce pests that are damaging to the melon industry and the natural environment. It is also possible that through the pollination process, honey bees moving between plants can provide a mechanism for the spread of plant pests within and between the crops grown.
Melon producers should expect beekeepers to: check the health of any hives brought in to provide pollination services and have an accompanying apiary health certificate audit the hives to determine that they meet the required standards to provide sufficient pollination services specifically check bees and brood for signs of pests and diseases maintain strong hives that are not susceptible to pest attack avoid placing hives near abandoned hives, as these are more likely to be diseased regularly inspect and record bees for unusual behaviour ensure that the beekeeper (and hives) are registered and that they comply with all possible movement restrictions with the state/territory.
Working together to reduce biosecurity threats, melon producers and beekeepers should: sign a pollination contract, which helps specify the responsibilities of both parties and helps clarify what the grower is hiring and what the beekeeper needs to supply Discuss with the beekeeper any chemicals that may need to be applied during the pollination period Investigate the use of bee friendly chemicals, or spray at a time when bees are not foraging (i.e. night) ensure a clean water source is available for honey bees If possible, minimise the number of people and vehicles that work around, or visit the hives
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ensure that the beekeepers vehicles, equipment, boots and clothing are free from plant material, soil, insects and other pests before entering and leaving farms or handling hives check hives when monitoring the farm and report any unexplained decline in bee numbers, crawling or dead bees near hive entrances or any unusual bee behaviour.
Farm biosecurity checklist
Use this checklist to do a quick biosecurity assessment of your property, and see sections of this document for further detail on each point.
Farm biosecurity checklist Yes To do
Do you have information signs placed at the entry gate to demonstrate your hygiene/biosecurity measures?
Do you maintain secure boundary fences?
Do you provide movement controls (people and vehicles) and wash down areas/footbaths to prevent spread of pests onto your property?
Do you have designated parking for visitors?
Do you provide on-property transport for visitors?
Has visiting machinery been cleaned correctly?
Do you use high health nursery stock?
Do you ensure that you and your staff are adequately trained in the correct use of pesticides?
Do you provide biosecurity training and awareness for farm staff?
Do you use quality assurance and/or best management practice systems?
Have you sought advice from a farm consultant in developing and implementing your farm’s biosecurity plan?
Do you question/restrict visitors to the property who have been in contact with an overseas farm or a possibly infected area? Further information in relation to farm biosecurity can be found on the farm biosecurity website (www.farmbiosecurity.com.au).
Reporting suspect pests
Any unusual plant pest should be reported immediately to the relevant state/territory agriculture department through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline (1800 084 881). Early reporting enhances the chance of effective control and eradication.
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Reporting an exotic plant pest carries serious implications and should be done only via the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline. Careless use of information, particularly if a pest has not been confirmed, can result in extreme stress for individuals and communities, and possibly damaging and unwarranted trade restrictions.
If you suspect a new pest, call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881
Calls to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline will be forwarded to an experienced person in the department of agriculture from the state of origin of the call, who will ask some questions about what you have seen and may arrange to collect a sample. Every report will be taken seriously, checked out and treated confidentially.
In some states and territories, the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline only operates during business hours. Where this is the case, and calls are made out of hours, callers should leave a message including contact details; and staff from the department of agriculture will return the call the following business day.
Some melon pests are notifiable under each state or territory’s quarantine legislation. The complete list of notifiable pests can be downloaded from the PHA website28; however, each state’s list of notifiable pests are subject to change over time so contacting your local state/territory agricultural department (details in Table 12) will ensure information is up to date. Landowners and consultants have a legal obligation to notify the relevant state/territory agriculture department of the presence of those pests within a defined timeframe (Table 19).
Table 19. Timeframe for reporting of notifiable pests as defined in state/territory legislation
State/territory Notifiable pest must be reported within
NSW 24 hours
NT 24 hours
Qld 24 hours
SA Immediately
Tas As soon as possible
Vic Without delay
WA 24 hours
Suspect material should not generally be moved or collected without seeking advice from the relevant state/territory department, as incorrect handling of samples could spread the pest or
28 Available from www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/biosecurity/notifiable-pests
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render the samples unsuitable for diagnostic purposes. State/territory agriculture department officers will usually be responsible for sampling and identification of pests.
Reference
DAFF (2011) Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2011. Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.
National Plant Health Status Report (2011) Plant Health Australia, Canberra ACT. http://www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/national-programs/national-plant-biosecurity- status-report/
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CONTINGENCY PLANS AND RESPONSE MANAGEMENT
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Citrus Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Introduction
Gathering information, developing procedures, and defining roles and responsibilities during an emergency can be extremely difficult. To address this area, PHA coordinated the development of PLANTPLAN, a national set of incursion response guidelines for the plant sector, detailing the procedures required and the roles and responsibilities of all Parties involved in an incursion response.
The following section includes key contact details and communication procedures that should be used in the event of an incursion in the melon industry. Additionally, a listing of pest- specific emergency response and information documents are provided that may support a response. Over time, as more of these documents are produced for pests of the melon industry they will be included in this document and made available through the PHA website.
PLANTPLAN
PLANTPLAN and its supporting documents provide a description of the management structures and information flow systems for the handling of a plant pest emergency at national, state/territory and district levels as well as guidelines, SOPs, forms/templates and jobcards. Guidance is provided for the operation of control centres, as well as outlining principles for the chain of responsibility, functions of sections, and role descriptions. PLANTPLAN is a general manual for use by all Government and Industry Parties during Plant Pest emergencies.
PLANTPLAN and its supporting documents are regularly reviewed and updated, and addition supporting documents are developed where needs are identified. This ensures that the best possible guidance is provided to plant industries and governments in responding to serious Plant Pests. The most recent version of PLANTPLAN and its supporting documents can be downloaded from the PHA website at www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/plantplan.
Following the detection of a suspect EPP, the relevant state agency should be immediately notified either directly or through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline. Within 24 hours of the initial identification, the agency, through the State Chief Plant Health Manager (CPHM), will inform the Australian Chief Plant Protection Office (ACPPO) who will notify all state agencies, relevant industry representatives and PHA (this process is outlined in Figure 10).
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Detection of a suspected exotic plant pest
By growers, consultants, research personnel, university staff, agribusiness, DPI staff, general public, etc.
Report it to the State Department of
Primary Industries
Through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline
(1800 084 881) or contact directly
Inform State Chief Plant Health Manager
State DPI staff to inform State Chief Plant Health Manager through their supervisor as soon as possible
Inform Chief Plant Protection Officer
State Plant Health Manager must inform the Chief Plant Protection Officer within 24 hours
Figure 10. Suspect exotic plant pest detection reporting flowchart
Following the detection or reporting of the pest, the relevant state/territory agriculture agency will seek a confirmatory diagnosis from another laboratory, usually within a different jurisdiction. If the pest is suspected to be an EPP (meeting one of the four main criteria within the EPPRD), the general process (as described in PLANTPLAN) is as outlined in Figure 11.
If the pest is considered potentially serious and/or suspected to be an EPP, the relevant state/territory agriculture department will usually adopt precautionary emergency containment measures. These measures, depending on the Plant Pest, may include:
restriction of operations in the area disinfection and withdrawal of people, vehicles and machinery from the area restricted access to the area control or containment measures.
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If an EPP is confirmed, technical and economic considerations are reviewed, and a decision made on whether to eradicate (managed under the EPPRD and a Response Plan) or take another course of action (potentially to contain or do nothing - long term management). Under the EPPRD all decisions are made by Committees with government and industry representation. At the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) level, these decisions relate to the technical feasibility of eradication of the EPP in question. From a National Management Group (NMG) perspective, they relate to technical advice from the CCEPP as well as financial considerations.
During the Investigation and Alert Phase (Figure 11), the Affected area will be placed under quarantine until a decision is made on whether to eradicate the pest or not. If a decision has been made to pursue eradication and a Response Plan under the EPPRD is approved by the NMG, efforts enter the Operational Phase (Figure 11). Eradication methods used will vary according to the nature of the EPP involved and infested/infected material will be destroyed where necessary. All on ground response operations are undertaken by the relevant state agricultural department(s) in accord with the approved Response Plan and the relevant state/territory legislation.
In the Stand Down Phase (Figure 11), all operations are wound down. Where a plant pest emergency is not confirmed, those involved will be advised that the threat no longer exists. Where the EPP is successfully eradicated, the situation should begin to return to ‘normal’. Where the EPP is not able to be eradicated, future long term management and control options may be investigated. In all cases, the response is reviewed and any lessons learnt will be used to improve the system for the future.
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NMG determines EPP not eradicable or Incident does not relate to an EPP
Investigation Operational Stand Down Phase and Alert Phase Phase
• Detection and • Implementation of • Activated by: Notification of the Response - Investigation and Incident Plan Alert Phase failing to
• Confirmation of confirm presence of diagnosis an EPP • Delimiting - eradication of an EPP surveillance not technically • Emergency feasible / cost Containment beneficial • Response Plan - following development implementation of a Response Plan, EPP successfully
Continuous eradicated, no longer review and technically
assessment of feasible/cost Response Plan beneficial
triggers
Agreed alternate approach implemented (Revised Response Plan or Stand Down Phase)
Figure 11. General decision making and communication chain for a plant pest emergency response
Industry specific response procedures
Industry communication
After becoming a Party to the EPPRD, the Australian Melon Association Inc. will be the key industry contact point if an incursion Affecting the melon industry is detected, and will have
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responsibility for relevant industry communication and media relations (see PLANTPLAN for information on approved communications during an incursion). The contacts nominated for the CCEPP and the NMG by the Australian Melon Association Inc. should be contacted immediately (Table 20) regarding any meetings of the CCEPP or NMG. It is important that all Parties to the EPPRD ensure their contacts for these committees are nominated to PHA and updated swiftly when personnel change.
Close cooperation is required between relevant government and industry bodies to ensure the effective development and implementation of a pest response, and management of media/communication and trade issues. Readers should refer to PLANTPLAN for further information.
Table 20. Contact details for the Australian Melon Association Inc.
Website www.melonsaustralia.org.au
Postal address PO Box 913 Kenmore Qld 4069 Australia
Contacts Dianne Fullelove Industry Development Manager
Email [email protected]
Phone
Mobile 0413 101 646
Counselling and support services
Whilst incursion response procedures, including quarantines, are critical in preventing a pests’ further spread, such activities can impose a significant emotional and financial strain on melon growers and their businesses. Provision for counselling and advice on financial support for growers is made available through various agencies as listed in Table 21. Up-to-date information relating to mental health can be found at www.health.gov.au/mentalhealth. Local providers of counselling services can be found through contacting your local state or territory agriculture department (Table 12) or your growers association (Table 20).
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Table 21. Counselling and financial counselling services
Organisation Contact
Lifeline 13 11 14 (24 hours) www.lifeline.org.au Anyone can call Lifeline. The 13 11 14 service offers a counselling service that respects everyone’s right to be heard, understood and cared for. We also provide information about other support services that are available in communities around Australia.
Mensline 1300 789 978 (24 hours) www.menslineaus.org.au Mensline Australia is a dedicated service for men with relationship and family concerns.
Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 (24 hours) www.kidshelpline.com.au Kids Help Line is Australia's only free, confidential and anonymous, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
BeyondBlue 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au Beyondblue is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working to increase awareness and understanding of depression, anxiety and related substance-use disorders throughout Australia and reduce the associated stigma.
Centrelink 13 23 16 (Drought Assistance Hotline) www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/drought-assistance The Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment is delivered by Centrelink on behalf of the Department of Agriculture. The payment provides assistance to farmers living in 'exceptional circumstances' affected areas who are having difficulty meeting family and personal living expenses.
Rural Financial 1800 686 175 (free call for referral to your nearest Rural Financial Counselling Service Counselling Service provider) www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/drought/rfcs Rural financial counsellors can: help clients identify financial and business options help clients negotiate with their lenders help clients adjust to climate change through the Climate Change Adjustment Program, identify any advice and training needed and develop an action plan help clients meet their mutual obligations under the Transitional Income Support program give clients information about government and other assistance schemes refer clients to accountants, agricultural advisers and educational services refer clients to Centrelink and to professionals for succession planning, family mediation and personal, emotional and social counselling.
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Pest-specific emergency response and information documents
As part of the implementation of the IBP, pest-specific information and emergency response documents, such as fact sheets, contingency plans and diagnostic protocols should be developed over time for all medium to high risk pests listed in the TSTs (Appendix 1). Currently, a number of documents have been developed for pests of the melon industry (Table 22) and are available for download from the Pest Information Document Database at www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/pidd.
An incursion management plan for Leafminer pests (Jovicich E, 2009) is also available through the HAL website.
Table 22. Pest-specific information documents for the melon industry29
Scientific name Common name Fact sheet Contingency plan Diagnostic protocol
Bactrocera cucurbitae Melon fruit fly
30 31 Tetranychus pacificus Pacific spider mite Draft
30 31 Tetranychus turkestani Strawberry spider Draft mite
Amblypelta cocophaga Coconut bug 32
Bactrocera cucurbitae Melon fruit fly Liriomyza bryoniae Tomato leafminer 33 34
33 35 Liriomyza huidobrensis Pea leafminer, Draft Serpentine leafminer
Liriomyza sativae Vegetable leafminer 33 34
33 34 Liriomyza trifolii American serpentine Draft leafminer
Begomoviruses Begomovirus group 36
Criniviruses Crinivirus group 3636
Tomato black ring virus Tomato black ring 37 (Nepovirus) virus (TBRV)
29 Copies of these documents are available from www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/pidd 30 Spider mite Fact Sheet covers this range of Exotic spider mites 31 Diagnostic Protocol covers both Tetranychus species 32 Fact Sheet developed for the Mango industry 33 Leaf miner Fact Sheet covers a range of exotic leaf miners 34 Contingency Plan developed for the grains industry and covers the American serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii, bundled with L. cicerina, L. huidobrensis, L. sativae, L. bryoniae and Chromatomyia horticola 35 Serpentine leaf miner CP developed for nursery and garden industry 36 Begomoviruses and Criniviruses detailed within the ‘Whitefly transmitted viruses’ CP developed for the Nursery and Garden industry
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National Diagnostic Protocols
Diagnostic protocols are documents that contain information about a specific plant pest, or related group of pests, relevant to its diagnosis. National Diagnostic Protocols (NDPs) are diagnostic protocols for the unambiguous taxonomic identification of a pest in a manner consistent with ISPM No. 27 – Diagnostic Protocols for Regulated Pests. NDPs include diagnostic procedures and data on the pest, its hosts, taxonomic information, detection and identification.
Australia has a coherent and effective system for the development of NDPs for plant pests managed by the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostic Standards (SPHDS). NDPs are peer reviewed and verified before being endorsed by Plant Health Committee (PHC).
Endorsed NDPs are available on the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network (NPBDN) website (www.plantbiosecuritydiagnostics.net.au), together with additional information regarding their development and endorsement.
Diagnostic information for some melon pests is also available from the PaDIL website http://www.padil.gov.au/Sphds/ or through the PHA website www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/pidd. For diagnostic information on fruit flies, refer to the Australian Handbook for the Identification of Fruit Flies, available from the PHA website.
Reference
Plant Health Australia (2013) PLANTPLAN: Australian Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan. Plant Health Australia, Canberra, ACT. (www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/plantplan)
Jovicich E (2009) Leafminer pest-generic incursion management plan for the Australian vegetable industry. Horticulture Australia Ltd., Sydney. http://www.horticulture.com.au/reports/search_final_reports_result.asp?src=&orgid=0& projid=3078&strSearch=&strProjectNo=VG06113&strIndustry=0- All&strSortby=date&strDisplay=titledesc&pageno=1
37 Nepoviruses fact sheet developed for the strawberry industry
Contingency Plans and Response Management | PAGE 88
APPENDIX 1: THREAT SUMMARY TABLES
PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Melon industry threat summary tables
The information provided in the TSTs (invertebrates, Table 23 and pathogens, Table 24) is an overview of exotic plant pest threats to the melon industry. Summarised information on entry, establishment and spread potentials and economic consequences of establishment are provided where available. Pests under official control38 or eradication may be included in these tables where appropriate. However, melon pests that are endemic but regionalised within Australia are not covered by IBPs, but may be assessed in state biosecurity plans. Assessments may change given more detailed research, and will be reviewed with the biosecurity plan every 3-4 years.
Full descriptions of the risk rating terms can be found on page 30. An explanation of the method used for calculating the overall risk can be found on the PHA website39. Additional information on a number of the pests listed in the TSTs can be found in pest-specific information documents (Table 22). Invertebrates
Table 23. Melon invertebrate threat summary table40
‘Unknown’ indicates insufficient information available to make an assessment of risk
Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread potential Economic Overall risk part potential potential impact
ACARI (Mites e.g. spider and gall mites)
Tetranychus pacificus Pacific spider mite Polyphagous, including watermelon Leaves and fruit MEDIUM MEDIUM-HIGH MEDIUM-HIGH MEDIUM- MEDIUM- and melon HIGH41 HIGH
Tetranychus turkestani Strawberry spider Polyphagous, including Cucurbitaceae Leaves and fruit MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW mite
38 Official control defined in ISPM No. 5 as the active enforcement of mandatory phytosanitary regulations and the application of mandatory phytosanitary procedures with the objective of eradication or containment of quarantine pests or for the management of regulated non-quarantine pests 39 Available from www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/biosecurity/risk-mitigation 40 The term ‘melon’ used in this table represents both Rockmelon and Honeydew (Cucumis melo) 41 http://www.plantwise.org/KnowledgeBank/Datasheet.aspx?dsid=53361
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Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread potential Economic Overall risk part potential potential impact
COLEOPTERA (Beetles, weevils, etc.)
Acalymma vittatum Striped cucumber Watermelon, melon, cucumber, Leaves, stems, MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH42 MEDIUM beetle pumpkin and some Brassica sp. roots and fruit
Aulacophora foveicollis Red pumpkin Watermelon, melon and other Leaves, stems, MEDIUM HIGH HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM beetle Cucurbita sp. roots, flowers and fruit
Aulacophora indica Cucurbit beetle Watermelon, melon and other Leaves, stems, HIGH HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM 43 MEDIUM Cucurbita sp. roots, flowers and fruit
Diabrotica balteata Banded cucumber Polyphagous, including melon Leaves, roots, MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM44 LOW beetle flowers and fruit
Diabrotica speciosa Cucurbit beetle Polyphagous, including melon Leaves, roots, LOW LOW MEDIUM LOW 45 VERY LOW flowers and fruit
Diabrotica undecimpunctata Spotted cucumber Polyphagous, including peanut, Leaves, roots, MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM46 MEDIUM47 LOW beetle quinoa, watermelon, melon, flowers and fruit rockmelon, cucumber, soybean, sweet potato, common bean and maize
Epilachna borealis Squash beetle Cucurbitaceae, including watermelon Leaves LOW LOW MEDIUM LOW48 VERY LOW and melon
Lepidiota stigma Sugarcane white Primarily sugarcane, but also affects Roots MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW VERY LOW grub watermelon, coffee, rubber, cassava, maize and Poaceae
42 Chewing insects that eat leaves, causing ‘window-paning’ of leaves. Window paning is caused when the beetle eats the lower surface and inside of the leaf, leaving the upper surface intact but causing it to turn brown. The Striped cucumber beetle can also transmit bacterial wilt of cucumber and honeydew http://urbanext.illinois.edu/hortanswers/detailproblem.cfm?PathogenID=111 43 Beetles cause large holes in the leaves and can totally defoliate plants. They sometime eat flowers and fruit, and can gnaw at the base of the plant, eating the stem and surface roots http://www.cabi.org/cpc/?compid=1&dsid=7927&loadmodule=datasheet&page=868&site=161 44 Adults mainly feed on leaves, causing defoliation, while larvae feed only on roots. Can transmit Fusarium sp. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/bean/banded_cucumber_beetle.htm 45 Particularly associated with Cucurbitaceae. Larvae feed on roots, while adults can feed on leaves, flowers and fruit http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/insects/Diabrotica_speciosa/DS_Diabrotica_speciosa.pdf 46 Adults are strong fliers and can disperse rapidly, travelling readily from field to field http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/insects/Diabrotica_undecimpunctata/DIABUN_ds.pdf 47 Infested plants from the Cucurbitaceae show adult feeding holes in the leaves and scars on runners and young fruits. Scarring in the crown of the plant is also typical of adult damage. http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/insects/Diabrotica_undecimpunctata/DIABUN_ds.pdf 48 Both adults and larvae feed on cucurbit leaves http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-100.pdf
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Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread potential Economic Overall risk part potential potential impact
Limonius californicus Sugarbeet Polyphagous, including watermelon Seeds, roots and MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW49 VERY LOW wireworm stems
DIPTERA (Flies and midges)
Anastrepha grandis South American Watermelon, melon, cucumber and Fruit LOW50 MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM51 LOW cucurbit fruit fly other Cucurbit sp. (Pumpkin fly)
Bactrocera cucurbitae Melon fruit fly Polyphagous, including watermelon, Fruit HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH 52 HIGH melon, cucumber and pumpkin
Bactrocera decipiens Fruit fly Polyphagous, including watermelon, Fruit MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM melon, pumpkin and cucumber
Bactrocera invadens Fruit fly53 Polyphagous, including watermelon Fruit MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH55 HIGH and melon as minor hosts54
Bactrocera latrifrons Solanum fruit fly Primarily Solanaceae, but also affects Fruit MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH watermelon56
57 Bactrocera tau Fruit fly Polyphagous, including watermelon, Fruit LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM58 LOW melon, cucumber and pumpkin
Bactrocera atrisetosa Fruit fly Polyphagous, including watermelon, Fruit MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM59 MEDIUM LOW melon, cucumber, pumpkin and zucchini
49 Plants that are attacked may not germinate, or may germinate poorly and wilt http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/insects/Limonius_californicus/DS_Limonius_californicus.pdf 50 Intercepted in America from imported pumpkin from Argentina and banana debris from Panama http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/fruit/tropical/anastrepha_grandis.htm 51 The main damage is caused by the larvae, which feed inside the fruit and tunnel through it to exit for pupation. The larval feeding often causes premature fruit drop and rotting of damaged tissues http://www.cabi.org/isc/?compid=5&dsid=5649&loadmodule=datasheet&page=481&site=144 52 http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/Type/bactro_c.htm 53 http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/Alert_List/insects/BCTRIN.htm 54 http://www.cabi.org/cpc/?compid=1&dsid=8714&loadmodule=datasheet&page=868&site=161 55 Spreading rapidly throughout Africa, attacking a range of commercially cultivated crops http://www.nda.agric.za/doaDev/sideMenu/plantHealth/docs/Trapping%20Guidelines%20for%20surveillance%20of%20Bactrocera%20invadens.pdf 56 Watermelon is a minor host, and has only been recently identified as a host in Hawaii http://www.cabi.org/cpc/?compid=1&dsid=8719&loadmodule=datasheet&page=868&site=161 57 http://delta-intkey.com/ffl/www/bac_tau.htm 58 Shows a preference for attacking fruits in the Cucurbitaceae http://www.cabi.org/cpc/?compid=1&dsid=8741&loadmodule=datasheet&page=868&site=161 59 This PNG species has been recorded at altitudes up to 1650m so would therefore have a wide climatic range over which it could potentially spread.
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Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread potential Economic Overall risk part potential potential impact
Carpomyia pardalina Melon fly, Watermelon, melon and cucumber Fruit MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW60 LOW Syn: Myiopardalis pardalina Baluchistan melon fly
Dacus ciliatus Cucurbit fly, Lesser Polyphagous, including watermelon, Fruit LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW62 LOW pumpkin fly61 melon and other Cucumis sp.
Liriomyza bryoniae Tomato leafminer Polyphagous, including Leaves HIGH HIGH MEDIUM63 HIGH64 HIGH watermelon, melon and other Cucumis sp.
Liriomyza huidobrensis Pea leafminer, Polyphagous, including melon Leaves HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH65 HIGH Serpentine leafminer
Liriomyza sativae Vegetable leafminer Polyphagous, including watermelon Leaves HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH 66 HIGH and melon
Liriomyza trifolii American serpentine Polyphagous, including melon Leaves HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH67 HIGH leafminer
HEMIPTERA (Stink bugs, aphids, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies and hoppers)
Bemisia tabaci (exotic strains Silverleaf whitefly Polyphagous, including watermelon Leaves and HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH68 HIGH and biotypes) stems
Amblypelta cocophaga Coconut bug Polyphagous, including watermelon Stems, growing HIGH69 MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW VERY LOW points, and fruit
60 Occur all over Afghanistan, but have spread North since 2002. Results in major crop failures of melons and quarantine restrictions http://afghanag.ucdavis.edu/other-topic/pests-and-diseases-affecting-crops/ipm- cards-english/Melon_Fly.pub/view 61 Also known as the Ethiopian fruit fly and the Cucurbit fly http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN53900.pdf 62 Considered a serious pest of a range of cucurbit crops http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/insects/Dacus_ciliatus/DACUCI_ds.pdf 63 Most probable means of spread is through movement on plants, cutting or propagation material http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/insects/Liriomyza_bryoniae/LIRIBO_ds.pdf 64 The principal impact is from the larvae mining into the leaves ad petioles, which reduces the photosynthetic ability of the plant and retards the plant growth. Young plants are particularly susceptible and frequently die http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/insects/Liriomyza_bryoniae/LIRIBO_ds.pdf 65 Flies may puncture leaves for both feeding and oviposition, which can be enough to greatly reduce photosynthesis and may kill young plants http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/pea_leafminer.htm 66 Foliage is punctured by females during the act of oviposition or feeding. Larvae are active leaf miners, destroying leaf mesophyll http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/vegetable_leafminer.htm 67 Foliage is punctured by females during the act of oviposition or feeding. Larvae are active leaf miners, destroying leaf mesophyll http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/a_serpentine_leafminer.htm 68 Damaging vector of a number of Cucurbitaceae viruses http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/silverleaf_whitefly.htm 69 Present in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and the Solomon Islands and could enter on fruit of a wide range of hosts.
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Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread potential Economic Overall risk part potential potential impact
LEPIDOPTERA (Butterflies and moths)
Amsacta moorei Tiger moth Polyphagous, including watermelon Leaves and UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN and melon stems
Loxostege stricticalis Beet webworm Polyphagous, including watermelon Leaves, stems, LOW HIGH HIGH MEDIUM LOW and rockmelon flowers and fruit
Melittia cucurbitae Squash vine borer Cucurbitaceae, including melon Stem LOW LOW LOW LOW 70 VERY LOW Syn: Melittia satyriniformis Polyphagous, including watermelon Peridroma saucia Pearly underwing Leaves, stems, MEDIUM HIGH HIGH UNKNOWN and melon moth, variegated flowers and fruit 71 cutworm Polyphagous, including watermelon Spodoptera eridania Southern Leaves and fruit LOW HIGH HIGH MEDIUM72 LOW armyworm Polyphagous, including watermelon Spodoptera littoralis Cotton leafworm, Leaves, stems, LOW73 HIGH HIGH MEDIUM73 LOW Egyptian flowers and fruit cottonworm
Trichoplusia ni Cabbage looper Polyphagous, including watermelon Leaves, stems LOW HIGH HIGH LOW74 VERY LOW and rockmelon and flowers
ORTHOPTERA (Grasshoppers and locusts)
Dichroplus elongatus South American Polyphagous, including watermelon Leaves, MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW VERY LOW grasshopper stems, flowers and fruit Polyphagous, including watermelon Dociostaurus maroccanus Moroccan locust Leaves and LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM 75 VERY LOW and melon stems
70 Only a minor pest of melons as it can only complete its life cycle on squash or pumpkins. Larvae bore into and hollow out vines and stems http://ipm.illinois.edu/vegetables/insects/squash_vine_borer.pdf 71 Generalist feeders that feed at the base of young plants, but also can feed on the stems, flowers and fruit http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/Type/peridrom.htm 72 Larvae are defoliators, capable of skeletonising leaves. As they mature they can bore into fruit http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/southern_armyworm.htm 73 Intercepted 65 times in the US since 2004. Has the ability to feed aggressively on above ground parts, causing a devastating impact in its native range http://www.ipm.msu.edu/uploads/files/Forecasting_invasion_risks/egyptianCottonworm.pdf 74 Larvae causes serious defoliation of leaves http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/cabbage_looper.htm 75 http://www.uwyo.edu/esm/faculty-and-staff/latchininsky/documents/1998-latchininsky-jico-moroccan-locust.pdf
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Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread potential Economic Overall risk part potential potential impact
THYSANOPTERA (Thrips)
Frankliniella fusca Tobacco Solenopsis Polyphagous, including watermelon Leaves, stems, LOW LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM76 VERY flowers and LOW fruit
76 Causes scarred and distorted leaves, which stunts the plants. Can scar fruit and can transmit Tomato spotted wilt virus http://www.ent.uga.edu/veg/solanaceous/thrips.pdf
Appendix 1 | PAGE 95 PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA | Melon Industry Biosecurity Plan 2014
Pathogens and nematodes
Table 24. Melon pathogen and nematode threat summary table77
‘Unknown’ indicates insufficient information available to make an assessment of risk
Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread Economic Overall risk part potential potential potential impact
BACTERIA
Candidatus Phytoplasma Aster yellows Wide host range, including Whole plant LOW LOW LOW LOW VERY LOW asteris (16SrI) – Aster yellows watermelon and melon group
Erwinia tracheiphila Cucurbit bacterial wilt Watermelon, melon and Whole plant LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH78 MEDIUM other Cucurbit sp.
Erwinia sp. Bacterial rind necrosis of Watermelon and melon Fruit UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN79 UNKNOWN watermelon
FUNGI
Acremonium cucurbitacearum Melon root rot Watermelon and melon Roots MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH80 MEDIUM
Diaporthe melonis Melon black rot Melon Fruit LOW LOW HIGH- MEDIUM81 VERY LOW Syn: Phomopsis cucurbitae MEDIUM
Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Fusarium root and stem Watermelon and melons Leaves, stems HIGH86 HIGH HIGH87 HIGH HIGH melonis (exotic races) 82, rot of melons and roots Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum (exotic races) 83, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-cucumerinum84 Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lagenariae85
77 The term ‘melon’ used in this table represents both Rockmelon and Honeydew (Cucumis melo) 78 Severe bacteria of Cucurbitaceae, which mainly affects melons, with watermelon showing signs of natural resistance overseas http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/Type/e_trach.htm 79 Unknown causal agent. Causes brown, corky, dry necrosis of interior of the rind, which rarely extends into the flesh http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/vista/pdf_pubs/948.pdf 80 Causes the collapse of melons and plants just before harvest, as well as a corky and distorted root system http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/35/4/677.full.pdf 81 Causes irregular, brown, soft and sunken lesions on fruit Garibaldi A, Bertetti D, Poli A, Gullino ML, 2011. First report of black rot caused by Phomopsis cucurbitae on cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) in the Piedmont Region of northern Italy. Plant Disease, 95(10):1317. http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/loi/pdis 82 One of the most destructive and widely distributed wilt diseases of melons https://w3.avignon.inra.fr/dspace/bitstream/2174/238/1/25_25_Alvarez.pdf
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Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread Economic Overall risk part potential potential potential impact
Monosporascus cannonballus Monosporascus root rot Cucurbitaceae, including Roots MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH88 MEDIUM watermelon and rockmelon
Rhizopycnis vagum Sudden collapse of Watermelon and melon Roots MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH89 MEDIUM melons
NEMATODES
Belonolaimus longicaudatus Sting nematode Polyphagous, including Roots LOW MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM90 VERY LOW watermelon and melon
Meloidogyne ethiopica Root-knot nematode Polyphagous, including Roots LOW MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM91 VERY LOW watermelon
Meloidogyne exigua Coffee root-knot Polyphagous, including Roots LOW MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM92 VERY LOW nematode watermelon
Xiphinema sp. (exotic races) Dagger nematode Polyphagous, including Roots LOW MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM VERY LOW watermelon, rockmelon and other Cucurbit sp.
VIRUSES
Beet curly top virus Beet curly top virus Wide host range, including Whole plant LOW HIGH HIGH LOW94 VERY LOW (Curtovirus) (BCTV) watermelon and melon93
83 Plants becomes severely stunted which results in the plant damping off http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/Type/f_oxy2.htm 84 New isolate recorded in Turkey in 2007/08 http://www.ndrs.org.uk/article.php?id=020009 85 Seedless watermelons in Australia are being grafted onto gourd rootstocks. These grafted plants show significant wilting due to this forma specialis 86 Seed transmitted 87 Can easily spread through contaminated soil 88 Causes root rot and vine decline, resulting in devastating yield losses (10-25%) in hot and dry areas http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/pp728/Monosporascus/Monosporascus_cannonballus.html 89 Affected roots are usually corky and decayed, with necrotic rootlets and root hairs http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-3059.2003.00796.x/pdf 90 Can cause severe yield losses and complete crop destruction in a range of crops http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/nematode/sting_nematode.htm 91 Damages plant roots by affecting the development of their root system http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/Alert_List/nematodes/Meloidogyne_ethiopica.htm 92 Mainly affects coffee, with watermelon only a minor host http://nematode.unl.edu/pest38.htm 93 http://cals.arizona.edu/PLP/plpext/diseases/vegetables/melon/melonvir.htm 94 http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/diseases/az1552.pdf
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Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread Economic Overall risk part potential potential potential impact
Cucumber green mottle mosaic Cucumber green mottle Watermelon, melons and Whole plant MEDIUM97 LOW-MEDIUM LOW- LOW NEGLIGIBLE – virus95 (Tobamovirus), Kyuri mosaic virus group other Cucurbit sp. MEDIUM VERY LOW green mottle mosaic virus96 (Tobamovirus)
Cucumber vein yellowing virus Cucumber vein yellowing Watermelon, melons and Whole plant LOW LOW MEDIUM98 MEDIUM99 VERY LOW (Ipomovirus) virus (CVYV) other Cucurbit sp.
Cucurbit leaf crumple virus100 Begomovirus group Cucurbitaceae Whole plant MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM- LOW - MEDIUM 105 (Begomovirus), Melon chlorotic HIGH leaf curl virus101 (Begomovirus), Squash leaf curl virus102 (Begomovirus), Watermelon chlorotic stunt virus103 (Begomovirus), Watermelon curly mottle virus104 (Begomovirus)
Cucurbit yellow stunting Cucurbit yellow stunting Watermelon, melons and Whole plant LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM106 MEDIUM- LOW – MEDIUM disorder virus (Crinivirus) disorder virus (CYSDV) other Cucurbit sp. HIGH107
Eggplant mottled dwarf virus Eggplant mottled dwarf Melon Whole plant LOW LOW LOW LOW108 VERY LOW (Rhabdovirus) virus (EMDV)
95 Causes leaf mottling, blistering and distortion and occasionally causes internal discoloration and decomposition in fruit http://www.dpvweb.net/dpv/showdpv.php?dpvno=154 96 http://lib.ugm.ac.id/data/pubdata/BSDaryono/bsdaryono2.pdf 97 Seed borne 98 Whitefly spread 99 Causes vein yellowing, vein clearing, stunting and yield reduction http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/virus/Cucumber_vein_yellowing_virus/DS_Cucumber_vein_yellowing.pdf 100 Recently described virus causing significant economic impact in western USA http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=220667 101 Causes foliar chlorosis, leaf curling, and reduced fruit set http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/abs/10.1094/PDIS.2001.85.9.1027C 102 Squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) causes systemic stunting and leaf curl, causing severe losses in a range of melons and cucurbits. It has become increasingly important since the spread of biotype B of Bemisia tabaci (Whitefly) http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/virus/Squash_leafcurl_virus/SLCV00_ds.pdf 103 http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/abs/10.1094/PDIS-04-12-0366-PDN 104 Recorded from Arizona (USA) causing leaf chlorosis, vein-banding, curling and stunting http://ictvdb.bio-mirror.cn/ICTVdB/00.029.0.83.050.htm 105 Transmitted by Silverleaf whitefly 106 Mainly spread by Greenhouse whitefly 107 Chlorotic mottling, yellowing and stunting occur, with severe yield losses on melons also recorded http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/virus/Cucurbit_yellow_stunting_disorder/DS_cucurbit_yellow_stunting.pdf 108 Isolated detected on melon in Italy http://ag.udel.edu/delpha/192.pdf
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Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread Economic Overall risk part potential potential potential impact
Lettuce infectious yellows Lettuce infectious yellows Wide host range, including Whole plant LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM- LOW – MEDIUM virus (Crinivirus) virus (LIYV) watermelon and melons HIGH109
Melon rugose mosaic virus Melon rugose mosaic Watermelon, melon and Whole plant LOW LOW LOW LOW110 VERY LOW (Tymovirus) virus (MRMV) other Cucurbit sp.
Melon vein-banding mosaic Melon vein-banding Melon Whole plant LOW LOW LOW LOW111 VERY LOW virus (Potyvirus) mosaic virus (MVBMV)
Melon necrotic spot virus Melon necrotic spot virus Watermelon, melon and Whole plant MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM- MEDIUM- LOW – MEDIUM (Carmovirus) (MNSV) cucumber HIGH HIGH112
Ourmia melon virus Ourmia melon virus Melon Whole plant UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN (Ourmiavirus) (OuMV)
Telfairia mosaic virus Telfairia mosaic virus Wide host range, including Whole plant LOW LOW LOW LOW113 VERY LOW (Potyvirus) (TMV) watermelon and melon
Tomato black ring virus Tomato black ring virus Cucurbitaceae Whole plant MEDIUM114 MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM 115 VERY LOW (Nepovirus) (TBRV)
Tomato ringspot virus Tomato ringspot virus Cucurbitaceae Whole plant MEDIUM114 MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM VERY LOW (Nepovirus) (TRSV)
Watermelon mosaic virus – Watermelon mosaic virus Watermelon, melon and Whole plant LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW- VERY LOW - Moroccan strain (Potyvirus) Moroccan strain cucumber MEDIUM116 LOW (WMV-M)
109 Causes severe yellowing of leaves, together with stunting, rolling, vein clearing and brittleness. LIYV has been reported to causes severe yield reduction in melons in California http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/virus/Lettuce_infec_yellows_virus/LIYV00_ds.pdf 110 Isolated from Yemen and Sudan, MRMV causes severe leaf mosaic and deformations http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/PDIS.1997.81.6.656 111 Described from one isolate from melon in Taiwan http://ictvdb.bio-mirror.cn/ICTVdB/00.057.0.81.052.htm 112 Severity is dependent on temperature in growing regions, with the virus more severe in cooler climates .Causes dark brown and necrotic lesions in leaves or cotyledons http://www.dpvweb.net/dpv/showdpv.php?dpvno=302 113 Causes systemic leaf chlorosis http://ictvdb.bio-mirror.cn/ICTVdB/00.057.0.01.066.htm 114 Seed borne 115 http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/virus/Tomato_black_ring_virus/TBRV00_ds.pdf 116 http://ictvdb.bio-mirror.cn/ICTVdB/00.057.0.01.091.htm
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Scientific name Common name Host(s) Affected plant Entry Establishment Spread Economic Overall risk part potential potential potential impact
Melon yellow spot virus117 Watermelon silver mottle Watermelon and melon Whole plant MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM- LOW – MEDIUM 118 (Tospovirus), Watermelon virus group HIGH silver mottle (Tospovirus), (serogroup IV) Groundnut bud necrosis (Tospovirus), Watermelon bud necrosis (Tospovirus)
Zucchini yellow fleck virus Zucchini yellow fleck virus Melon Whole plant LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW119 VERY LOW (Potyvirus) (ZYFV)
Zucchini yellow mosaic Zucchini yellow mosaic Watermelon, melon and Whole plant LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM120 LOW virus (Potyvirus) exotic strains virus (ZYMV) cucumber
117 Newly described isolate from China. MYSV causes numerous yellow, necrotic leaf spots and subsequent leaf yellowing http://www.ndrs.org.uk/article.php?id=025007 118 Can causes silver mottling on leaves and chlorotic mottling on fruits http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/virus/Watermelon_silver_mottle_virus/WMSMOV_ds.pdf 119 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0434.2009.01620.x/abstract 120 The virus causes yellow mosaic, severe malformation, blisters, extreme reduction in the size of leaf lamina, necrosis, and severe plant stunting. The virus is remarkably variable and several strains have been identified recently infecting watermelon and melon http://www.dpvweb.net/dpv/showdpv.php?dpvno=282
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References
Jeppson LR (1975) Mites injurious to economic plants. pp 183. Berkeley, University of California Press. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/watermelon/foliar-diseases/ http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-44.html
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