Jim Moran, Leading Biosecurity Officer – Plants
Hopefully, the challenges of last harvest and this season’s sowing are now behind you, providing the opportunity for you to enjoy a well-earnt winter holiday.
If you’re travelling interstate or overseas it is important to remain vigilant with hygiene practices and do your biosecurity checks before returning home.
Trips to other regions, especially grain-growing regions, perhaps to attend field days or visit farms, may inadvertently put Victoria at risk to new pests, weeds and diseases.
Returning from overseas can still pose a biosecurity risk, with pests, weeds and diseases potentially hitching a ride on clothing, footwear and luggage even after getting through customs.
That’s why biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility.
There are more than 300 exotic and endemic pests, weeds and diseases currently posing a threat to the grains industry.
If brought home, these risks could affect your property, increase production costs and even disrupt market access.
Examples include khapra beetle, Karnal bunt, Hessian fly, wheat stem sawfly and brown marmorated stink bug, as well as exotic rust strains and viruses.
These are all commonly found in overseas countries and regions we visit for holidays, research, trials and work.
If you’re visiting farms, paddocks or rural areas, take care not to bring pests and diseases back home with you.
Comply with national, domestic and regional quarantine rules and recommended practices. Leave behind any food, plant material, soil or animal products.
Before returning home, wash any clothing worn in agricultural areas and clean and disinfect your footwear using a disinfectant such as diluted bleach or an alcohol/water mix, if possible.
If you have visited a particularly high-risk area, known to be infested, it may be worth considering leaving your clothing and footwear behind.
Wipe down non-washable items such as suitcases, mobile phones, tablets, camera bags, watchbands, glasses and belts with a disinfectant wipe.
And don’t forget your vehicle. Clean your car thoroughly of any soil, seeds and plant material.
Pay attention to areas such as the footwell, radiator grille, vents, undercarriage, tyres and wheel arches, and other tight spots.
Good biosecurity doesn’t end once you get home.
Remind family members, employees and others travelling with you to take these precautions and keep an eye out for anything new or unusual appearing in crops or paddocks.
Early detection and reporting are critical to protecting Victoria’s grains industry.
