Blueberry rust outbreak

approach is the best strategy.

Also, TIA advises that given the high prevalence of the disease globally and its ability to spread large distances, it is possible the disease would reoccur in Tasmania in five years after an attempted eradication.

Our biosecurity experts regularly take into account the available techniques, the options and costs to industry and producers, the likelihood of success, the risk of further incursions, and market access.

Sometimes eradication is effective if the size of the incursion appears limited and feasible with techniques that can be employed. At other times however, the impact of attempting eradication can have major disruptive impacts on industry with information and advice indicating that the opportunity for success is extremely limited.

This approach shaped the management of blueberry rust when it was first detected in 2014.

Information indicated that eradication was feasible because the source of the infected plants was clearly identified.

This unfortunately had a significant impact on the two growers involved as their plants were removed.

Then in 2016 there was a further and larger detection and the rust has now been found and is contained on three properties.

Strict quarantine measures are enforced on each site to reduce the risk of further movement of the disease.

The response put in place was acknowledged by interstate authorities and growers maintained market access for their berries in the 2016-17 season.

The department continues to negotiate interstate market access arrangements for the coming season and I have sought support for access from my ministerial colleagues in other states focusing on our organic growers.

I assure all growers we will continue to work diligently in partnership with them to enable ongoing market access, focus on containing the disease and to review all new information and future options if and as they are identified.

Jeremy Rockliff is Minister for Primary Industries and Water.