Concerns invasive disease may hurt horticulture
Concerns for invasive plant pathogen
THE Granite Belt agriculture industry could be brought to its knees if a devastating disease worms its way into our backyard.
Winemaker Mike Hayes is sounding the alarm, saying if invasive bacteria plant pathogen xylella fastidiosa makes its way here it’ll decimate the local, and national, agriculture industry.
“I’m just extremely worried about this disease coming into Australia in a big way. It’s just on our doorstep at present – they’ve found xylella in southeast Asia so it’s not far away,” Mr Hayes said.
More commonly known as Pierce’s Disease, the bacteria is spread by the glassy-winged sharpshooter.
“There is no cure,” Mike said.
It has wiped out billions of dollars worth of industry in southern Spain, France and Italy and Mr Hayes wants people to be aware of the risk it poses should it end up here.
“I don’t think the people realise how devastating it is. They do recommend up to 15 years of non-production on the land – so extracting the plant and that’s it. That in itself is more or less the end of that person in the industry,” ,” Mr Hayes said.
“People may think you’re jumping up and down carrying on but it’s a little bit like the phylloxera vastatrix which hit the Yarra Valley some nine or ten years ago where it was on a tiny portion of a vineyard and now it’s up to 2700 hectares. They’re out in the field now scratching their head saying ‘How the heck did this happen?’.
“I think combined with world travel, the way people are getting around the world at present, it makes it very, very easy for this to be transported around.
“I firmly believe we need many more awareness programs around this. I believe this could be one of the most devastating events of Australian history in agriculture and horticulture if it gets in.
“This has got the potential of bringing many regions, or parts of our agricultural industry, to its knees. The best way of defence is the eyes and ears of Australians.”
The disease can spread through a diverse array of host plants.
Stonefruit, citrus, asparagus, woody plants, grape vines, oak trees and countless more can be invaded.
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is equally concerned about a potential incursion.
“If the deadly plant bacterium xylella fastidiosa entered and established in Australia, it would pose a significant threat to the productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of Australia’s wine grape and wine-making industries,” Mr Littleproud said.
“It could cost our wine grape and wine-making industries up to $7.9 billion over 50 years. It’s important for all Australians to understand the value and importance of biosecurity for the nation and the impact a significant incursion could have.”
❝about I’m just extremely worried this disease coming into Australia in a big way. It’s just on our doorstep at present.
— Mike Hayes