Disease anger growing

TASMANIA’ S blue berry growers say the state’s $30 million industry could be wiped out if government does not move to fully eradicate a serious fungal disease.

Blueberry rust was again recently discovered on three North-West properties after earlier breakouts around the state in 2014 and again in 2016.

Biosecurity Tasmania has a policy of containment but growers want the government to eradicate blueberry rust.

Certified organic blueberry grower Trish Macfarlane, who has an orchard near Launceston, said growers are not happy. “Time is ticking to solve the problem as spring is fast approaching,” she said.

“As an organic grower, I don’t have any options for treatment should we end up with rust at our property.

“It’s a simple decision, cut off the plants with blueberry rust to the ground. The healthy plants will grow back. All we ask is for Biosecurity Tasmania to look at the science and act immediately to eradicate.”

Ms Macfarlane said with blueberry rust present, three inspections of farms would be required every season.

“It’s ridiculous when there is a fix to the problem.”

Grower Tony O’Connell said blueberry rust could easily be spread by people, vehicles, animals and strong winds. “It has to be eradicated,” he said.

Mr O’Connell, who grows blueberries on 6ha at Grove in the Huon Valley, said the issue could wipe out the industry.

“The disease, with it only surviving eight weeks off live leaf tissue, we have a natural eradication with our deciduous varieties here in Tassie, so it’s only the evergreens that need to be dealt with through winter,” Mr O’Connell said.

Blueberry rust was discovered last August on a farm near Sulphur Creek and has spread to two smaller farms. It poses no threat to human health but reduces crop yields.

Lloyd Klumpp, general manager for biosecurity at the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, said the containment response enabled continued national market access for growers last season. “We are ensuring all measures are in place to contain the disease,” Mr Klumpp said.