Frustration at blueberry disease response

ANOTHER outbreak of a serious agricultural fungal disease has been uncovered in the state, says Tasmania’s peak farming body.

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association says blueberry rust has now spread to two small farms near Sulphur Creek in the North-West.

Biosecurity Tasmania said the latest incursion was much larger than a 2015 outbreak which was eradicated though a containment and management strategy. Fruit Growers Tasmania business development manager Phil Pyke said the situation was difficult for the whole industry.

“We have strong concerns for market access,” he said.

TFGA chief executive Peter Skillern said his organisation predicted another outbreak in December, having expressed serious concerns over the Government’s decision to “manage” the outbreak, as opposed to eradicating it.

“Sadly, our concerns for blueberry growers, particularly those with organic regimes, have come to fruition, and our frustration with the way that the situation has been handled continues unabated,” he said.

“The Government’s inappropriate response to the 2016 incursion has now led to Tasmanian berry farmers being encumbered even further with excessive on-farm biosecurity regimes. This highlights our concerns in relation to the new draft Biosecurity Bill and its potential impacts.”

Blueberry rust causes extensive defoliation and can kill plants with severe infections.