Words by Sam Nelson, Policy Manager - Technical
GrainGrowers recently undertook a project to understand the detection, management and eradication response to the exotic pest Lens Snail (Caracollina lenticula[1]) in South Australia.
The potential pest was detected in Port Adelaide, South Australia in August 2018 during routine surveillance. Snails are just one of the many potential biosecurity threats to the Australian grains industry and could arrive in Australia as hitch-hikers on machinery, equipment, or other goods.
Growers in South Australia have had to deal with two other exotic snail incursions over the past few decades, both of which have resulted in serious grain contamination issues for the industry and affected market access in some export destinations.
Pre-border and at-border biosecurity in Australia is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF, previously DAWE) and they work to minimise the likelihood of pests and diseases entering the country. Post-border biosecurity management, however, is a partnership between federal and state governments, plant industries and producers.
Plant Health Australia (PHA) and its member industries play a key role in post-border biosecurity response. This biosecurity response occurs under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) which covers the management and funding of responses to emergency plant pest incidents, including the potential for reimbursement costs for growers.
GrainGrowers Annual Policy Survey indicates industry members have relatively high confidence around keeping pests out of Australia (57% of respondents indicated they were extremely or moderately confident of keeping pests out of Australia).
However, growers are less confident around post-border arrangements for the eradication (40% being extremely or moderately confident) or management of a pest once eradication is no longer possible (33% extremely or moderately confident).
Findings
The report found that the incursion was managed in accordance with the EPPRD, but widespread disaffection continues to exist in the South Australian grains industry over the response and that the program to eradicate this pest was fully funded by South Australian growers. The report also found that there are clear lessons to be learnt from the incident, and that industry organisations need to be better at communicating and consulting on biosecurity issues, and industry leaders need to be clear about their roles and responsibilities during emergency plant pest incidents.
Biosecurity is one of the greatest risks to the Australian grains industry, and it is important that all industry members understand and play their role in supporting the biosecurity system. PHA provides training to industry leaders to assist them in understanding their roles and obligations and in the management of emergency responses[2]. To support on-farm biosecurity PHA also has resources including a Biosecurity Manual for Grain Producers[3], fact sheets on pests[4] and there are Grains Biosecurity Officers[5] located in most states to raise awareness and training to growers, consultants and other industry stakeholders. Good biosecurity practises on farm will help to reduce the risk of unwanted pests, weeds or diseases impacting your business. [6]
What's next?
Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and GrainGrowers is firmly of the view that there should be no wrong doors when it comes to seeking information and looking for answers on biosecurity issues. GrainGrowers is committed to constructively working to improve Australia’s biosecurity system, and will work with PHA, DAFF and industry organisations to implement the findings of the lens snail project so industry is better positioned to respond to future biosecurity incursions.
The future productivity and prosperity of the Australian grains industry relies on the nation maintaining freedom from serious pests and diseases, such as khapra beetle, that can stifle international trade, as well as avoiding the devastating impact that would occur from damage in crops and to stored grain.
We all play a role in the biosecurity system, if you see an unusual pest or disease it should be reported immediately through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline (1800 084 881)[7].
If you would like more information on the Lens Snail project please contact GrainGrowers on 1800 620 519 or via enquiry@graingrowers.com.au.
[1] https://pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/369794/Factsheet_Lens_Snail.pdf
[2] Training - Plant Health Australia
[3] Biosecurity-Manual-for-Grain-Producers.pdf (planthealthaustralia.com.au)
[4] Grains pest fact sheets - Plant Health Australia
[5] Grains Farm Biosecurity Program - Plant Health Australia