Plant biosecurity issues highlight need for investment

Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) affects most cucurbit varieties such as cucumber, melons, watermelon, bitter-gourd, bottle gourd, zucchini, pumpkin, and squash. This recent case raises concerns about the adequacy of the mandatory seed testing regimes for horticulture industries in Queensland.

It is concerning that despite the earlier incursions in the Northern Territory and North Queensland, potentially contaminated seed was sold to growers.

The recent CGMMV case comes hot on the heels of a detection of tomato potato psyllid in Western Australia, which is the host of the potentially devastating zebra chip disease. Zebra chip has reduced potato yields overseas by 60-100pc and has significant trade implications.

While we commend both the Queensland and Australian governments for their efforts to modernise our biosecurity legislation and streamline their activities, the bottom line is that investment in plant biosecurity in Queensland is less than half that allocated for animal biosecurity.

For example, there is still a concerning shortage of plant pathologists within the Queensland Department of Agriculture and it is important that we attract and mentor junior scientists to ensure that there is not a skills crisis in years to come.

Growcom was recently appointed to the Australian Government’s Plant Health Surveillance Consultative Committee which was established under the $200 million commitment to biosecurity in the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. This committee will be an important mechanism to improve Australia’s plant health surveillance system and look forward to tangible outcomes to improve our surveillance system at all levels.

Queensland’s plant industries contribute $7 billion to our economy each year and remain the mainstay of many communities throughout the state.  It is vital that we continue to work together to maintain Australia’s clean, green status internationally as it is in all of our interests.