Biosecurity Manual for the Papaya Industry
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Biosecurity Manual for the Papaya Industry Reducing the risk of pests entering and becoming established in your orchard Version 1.0 Plant Health Australia (PHA) is the national © Plant Health Australia 2013 coordinator of the government-industry Copyright in this publication is owned by Plant partnership for plant biosecurity in Australia. Health Australia Limited, except when content As a not-for-profit company, PHA services has been provided by other contributors, the needs of Members and independently in which case copyright may be owned by advocates on behalf of the national plant another person. With the exception of any biosecurity system. PHA’s efforts help material protected by a trade mark and except minimise plant pest impacts, enhance where otherwise indicated in this publication, Australia’s plant health status, assist trade, this publication is licensed under a Creative safeguard the livelihood of producers, Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence. support the sustainability and profitability Any use of this publication, other than as of plant industries and the communities authorised under this licence or copyright that rely upon them, and preserve law, is prohibited. environmental health and amenity. www.planthealthaustralia.com.au http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ This details the relevant licence conditions, including the full legal code. Papaya Australia is the peak industry body for the Australian papaya industry whose In referencing this document, the preferred aim is to encourage the growth and citation is: development of the industry. Papaya Plant Health Australia Ltd (2013) Biosecurity Australia aims to supply Australian Manual for the Papaya Industry (Version 1 August consumers with high-quality, papaya 2013). Plant Health Australia, Canberra, ACT. all year-round, while delivering a good return on investment for growers. The industry Requests and enquiries concerning highly values the spirit of cooperation and reproduction and rights should be addressed sharing between growers; the benefits to the Communications Manager at PHA. of united activities such as research and development and marketing; its relationship Phone: 02 6215 7700 with local communities; care for the Fax: 02 6260 4321 environment; and the general camaraderie E-mail: [email protected] and goodwill of its people. Website: www.planthealthaustralia.com.au www.australianpapaya.com.au An electronic copy of this manual is available from the website listed above and from the Farm Biosecurity website www.farmbiosecurity.com.au Disclaimer: The material contained in this publication is produced for general information only. It is not intended Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) is a not- as professional advice on any particular matter. No person should act or fail to act on the basis of any material for-profit, industry-owned company. It works contained in this publication without first obtaining in partnership with Australia’s horticulture specific and independent professional advice. industries to invest in research, development and marketing programs that provide benefit Plant Health Australia and all persons acting for Plant Health Australia in preparing this publication, expressly disclaim all to industry and the wider community. Papaya and any liability to any persons in respect of anything done Australia is a class A member of HAL. by any such person in reliance, whether in whole or in part, www.horticulture.com.au on this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Plant Health Australia. Table of contents Six easy ways to protect your farm 2 Biosecurity overview 4 What is biosecurity? 4 What is orchard biosecurity? 4 Regional biosecurity 5 Pests 6 High priority exotic pest threats of the papaya industry 6 Papaya pests already present in Australia 9 Early detection and reporting of pests 10 Monitoring your orchard 10 What to do if you find something unusual 11 The Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed 12 Owner Reimbursement Costs 12 People and biosecurity 14 Biosecurity signs 14 Managing threats from people movement 14 Casual workers and tourists 15 Overseas travellers 15 Contractors and utility providers 16 Vehicles and equipment 19 Vehicle access 19 Vehicle hygiene 20 Equipment hygiene and storage 20 Dedicated equipment for high risk areas 21 Wash-down facilities 21 Production management 22 Planting and propagating material 22 Biosecurity and Quality Assurance 22 Chemical residues 23 Waste fruit and plant material 23 Biosecurity Best Practice checklist 24 Further information 28 Visitor register 30 Pest monitoring sheet 31 Fact sheets 32 Six easy ways to protect your farm You have an important role to play in protecting your property and the entire papaya industry from biosecurity threats. 2 Here are six easy ways you can reduce the threat of new pests entering and establishing on your property. Each of these pest management practices should be embedded in your orchard’s everyday operations and management. Don’t put your livelihood at risk by neglecting farm biosecurity. 1. Be aware of pests that pose a risk to papaya Make sure you and your orchard workers are familiar with the most important exotic papaya pest threats. See page 6 for high priority pest threats to the papaya industry. 2. Keep it clean Practice good farm hygiene to reduce the risk of pests entering and spreading around your property. Provide cleaning facilities so workers and visitors can clean hands and feet before entering or leaving your property. Vehicles and equipment can harbour pests and transfer them within and between orchards. Have a designated parking area, provide wash-down facilities, and use clean equipment on-farm. Ensure all planting and propagating material is from trusted sources and dispose of waste fruit and plant material carefully. 3. Monitor your orchard Constant vigilance is vital for early detection of any exotic plant pest threat. Check your trees frequently. Knowing the usual appearance of your crops together with any common pests will help you recognise anything unusual. 4. Train, plan and record Ensure that staff are well trained and that you keep records of purchases, sales and movements on and off your property. Consider any potential biosecurity weaknesses and plan to improve practices. 5. Abide by the law Be aware of and abide by laws and regulations that have been established to protect the papaya industry, Australian agriculture, and your region. Your state or territory department of agriculture is the best source of information on movement restrictions and other requirements. 6. Report anything unusual If you suspect a new pest – report it immediately to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline. Early detection provides the best chance of eradicating a new pest. To learn more about protecting your property from biosecurity risks visit the farm biosecurity website www.farmbiosecurity.com.au 3 Biosecurity overview This manual is designed to assist you in 4 protecting your property and the papaya The definition of a pest used in this industry from new and invasive pests. manual covers all insects, mites, By implementing the recommended snails, nematodes, pathogens measures in your day-to-day operations, (diseases) and weeds that may harm you will improve your own biosecurity plants or plant products. Exotic and that of your region, while minimising pests are those not currently present produce losses, unnecessary costs and in Australia. Established pests are the risk of losing export markets. those present within Australia. What is biosecurity? What is orchard biosecurity? Biosecurity is about the protection of Orchard biosecurity is a set of measures livelihoods, lifestyles and the natural designed to protect a property from environment, which could be harmed the entry and spread of pests. Orchard by the introduction of new pests. biosecurity is your responsibility, and that of every person working on or visiting Biosecurity is a national priority, your property. implemented off-shore, at the border and on-farm. Growers can play a key role in protecting the Australian papaya industry from Australia’s geographic isolation has exotic pests. If a new pest becomes meant that we have relatively few of established in your orchard, it will affect the pests that affect plant industries your business through increased orchard overseas. Freedom from these exotic costs (for additional monitoring and pests is a vital part of the future chemical use, alternative production profitability and sustainability of Australia’s practices, and the associated labour plant industries. Biosecurity allows us to costs), reduced productivity (yield and/ preserve existing trade opportunities and or quality reductions) and, potentially, provide evidence to support new market reduced market access opportunities. negotiations. Early detection and immediate reporting All Australians have a role to play in of all exotic pests or diseases increases biosecurity: governments, industries, the chance of effective and efficient communities, individual producers as eradication of pests new to Australia well as travellers and farm visitors. or to your region. Biosecurity is everybody’s business. Regional biosecurity 5 Biosecurity in your region can be strengthened through a collaborative approach. Engagement of the community, together with an understanding of the region’s vulnerabilities and the potential source and nature of threats can focus regional efforts. Biosecurity awareness in your region can be supported by a commitment