06 June 2016

Give your opinion on biosecurity

06-Jun-2016

In 2014, the Citrus Biosecurity Project conducted a grower survey to better understand the level of knowledge around this topic. Activities were planned with this information in mind.
After two years of implementation, and as the current project draws to a close, a follow up survey is being conducted.
Citrus Biosecurity Manager, Stuart Pettigrew, said it was important to see where progress has been made in biosecurity, and where future activities will need to focus their attention.
“Growers tell us that biosecurity ranks as one of their highest priorities, so understanding how we have gone in implementing an improved biosecurity system is important,” Stuart said.
“With planning also well advanced for the next phase of activities, how best to support industry is important for us to know. We therefore ask growers to give us 10 minutes of their time to complete the online survey”
The link to the survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CitrusBiosecurity
If growers have any questions about this, or would prefer to complete a paper copy of the survey, they can contact Stuart on 0429 936 812 or stuart@agdynamics.com.au
As part of the ongoing effort to strengthen industry surveillance programs for high priority pests, the Citrus Biosecurity Project was in the Central Coast region of NSW last week.
Stuart and colleagues from NSW DPI conducted property visits and engaged with small holder farmers.
The central coast region has a significant amount of remnant orchards, often swallowed up by subdivisions, and now a potential biosecurity risk.
“We really don’t know the extent of the risk in these areas, so the aim of next week’s activity is to deepen our understanding, and to get better contacts into this region,” Stuart said.
Private consultant, Rob Weppler from Riverina IPM, was a member of the surveillance team. Stuart said this was the first time these linkages had been made between surveillance and the trained IPM scouts that support growers.
Support for this program has been provided by DAWR, and is being managed by Plant Health Australia.