Presentation given – 80 people in attendance. 

A Myrtle rust industry and community engagement meeting was held on the 28.01.11 at the Mercure Hotel, Sydney.

The aim of the meeting according to Dr Bruce Christie (Principal Director-Biosecurity) Industry & Investment NSW (I & I NSW) who acted as the chair was to inform those in attendance of what I & I NSW know to date and outline some of the proposed management strategies intended to slow the spread of Myrtle rust now it not deemed to be eradicated. 

A panel representing: I & I NSW, (Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water) DECCW, NGIA/NGINA, Australian Tea Tree Industry Association (ATTIA), Rural Industries Research Development Corporation (RIRDC) presented information to assist in delivering information and some future strategies to those in attendance.

Dr Bruce Christie outlined the Biosecurity framework for both Emergency Plant Pests and general pests across Australia.  A summary of the sequence of events or key dates for Myrtle rust was provided in relation to the National Management Group (NMG) who supported the interim response plan for Myrtle rust which ceased support for eradication on 23rd December when it was deemed the pest could not be eradicated. 

Ongoing work will need to be conducted to determine how we manage Myrtle rust and this is where a National Manage Coordination Group and a NSW Steering Committee will be established.  Research, taxonomy/genetics, collaboration with industries, interstate trade and community awareness are to be the focus. 

Dr Kevin Cooper (I & I NSW) gave an overview/update of the NSW situation.  Targeted surveillance ceased on the 22nd December 2010, however passive surveillance has continued.  There are 201 known infected sites (range from nursery, private gardens, reserves and state forest areas) with varying levels of infection. 

Since Christmas 2010, the situation changed dramatically with significant infection reported in bushland areas of Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Mullumbimby and Alstonville regions.  There has been a number of self reporting from people and this has helped to establish that east coast of NSW is quite heavily infested.  It was thought Myrtle rust arrived in the northern rivers and South East Queensland in early December given the extent of known infections. 

There are now 33 known hosts (refer to I & I NSW Myrtle rust website) with Austromyrtus inophloia and Agonis flexuosa the main plants impacted in cultivation.  Infection is not black and white and seems to vary based on region, stage of plant growth, cultivation techniques and micro climate/environment.  The positive element is that fungicides are effective where they can be applied.

Dr Kathy Gott (I & I NSW) and Murray Spicer (I & I NSW) spoke about a proposed red and green management zone for NSW to cover where Myrtle rust is known to either be widely distributed (red) or relatively free.  Kathy suggested there would be wide industry consultation/liaison and planning meetings to develop a management plan for NSW.  One positive according to Kathy is the increased Biosecurity awareness.

The community and industry will need to be encouraged to report new infections and particularly to report known hosts.  Reporting and understanding the disease will be ongoing and help to learn more about the long term way we manage Myrtle rust.  I & I NSW will not look at legislation but would like to see industry steering the risk management and implementing mitigation measures with support from the NSW Myrtle rust Coordination Committee and have Peter Newly (I & I NSW) District Horticulturist coordinate activities. 

Bob Conroy of DECCW spoke about the role of DECCW in conserving nature in NSW. An interim management plan is being developed to slow the spread of Myrtle rust.  Whilst the level of infection in public areas is unable to be treated with fungicides, a targeted approach to application of fungicides in high public access areas and sites with threatened species will be actively managed.  Access restrictions and conditions of consent for use of public areas will be considered.

Tony Larkman of ATTIA said their industry is likely to be severely affected as it is a monoculture with high plant density and low host tolerance.  Their focus will be on control and development of resistant lines.  His advice to all is to be: vigilant, educate, provide options and develop ongoing management plans for other key pests. 

Anthony Kachenko (NGIA) and Michael Danelon (NGINA) provided an overview of what industry has and will be doing to manage Myrtle rust.  NGIQ is working on developing a management plan for the Australian nursery industry that will be used to assist production nurseries across the country.  This plan will be based around aspects of current industry programs (BioSecure HACCP, NIASA) and include information on surveillance and monitoring, pesticide rotations and hygiene.  More information to follow.

Alison Saunders (RIRDC) is keen to support industries in developing research activities to assist in managing Myrtle rust.  There are considerations for production, food safety, market access and the community.

RIRDC are looking at running workshops to facilitate research needs projects and raising awareness of Myrtle rust throughout NSW.

The panel (above presenters) was then asked a range of questions from the audience. 

Qn - Impact overseas and how will Australia be impacted.  Ans – we are still unsure, industry will need to bear the cost and environment will be affected and need to evolve. 

Qn - When will there be state market access harmonization.  Ans – unsure as NSW is still showing signs of infection and Qld now with 11 sites.  Other jurisdictions will not relax quarantine barriers.

Qn – Will fauna be impacted if they eat Myrtle rust.  Ans – should not but habit and loss of fodder could be an issue.

Qn – What management tips (control strategies) can be shared from individual knowledge.  Ans – I & I NSW may look at facilitating this.

Qn – What has been level of engagement of media.  Ans – I & I NSW suggest this has been poor and no real interest (a surprise).

Qn – Australian Network of Plant Conservation looking at awareness workshops. 

Qn – What are hygiene protocols.  Ans came from Kevin Cooper and bush regenerators.  About awareness, cleaning and not moving from site to site.

Qn – Why have utilities not been targeted as a pathway (water/power).  Ans – a lower risk profile than active plant movements.  People are vectors and this needs to be driven across public areas and service providers to slow spread. 

Qn – how do you set risk assessment.  Ans – Kevin provided some limited detail of where people go and their exposure to the disease rather than just transport. 

Qn – Why haven’t industries been sending out information.  Ans – Arborists were contacted but not sending this out.  Similar response with nurseries – some keen, others may not see it as relevant. 

Qn – Will best management practice guidelines be developed.  Ans – Yes and some already exist for bushland and hygiene. 

Qn – Where are home garden products for use.  Ans – The APVMA permits are too restricted and this needs to action from I & I NSW to help to lower disease pressure and impact on plants. 

Comment – HAL, they will support research for Nursery Industry to manage transition. 

Qn – When will the notifiable status change.  Ans – uncertain but given only NSW and Qld and want to learn more about where it is and what plants are affected this will be in place for some time. 

Bruce Christie then thanked all participants.  Emphasized we all have a responsibility to bring information to community and industry and develop community awareness in how we manage Myrtle rust long term.