[Plant Healt Australia 16 Sept. 2010] -- The Myrtle rust National Management Group (NMG) met on 2nd September 2010 to consider intensified surveillance and containment actions for the Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii) incident in NSW. Following recent surveillance, tracing and continual testing:
• Myrtle rust has now been confirmed on 14 sites in NSW, mostly in retail garden centres, nurseries or cut flower facilities. Quarantine controls have now been implemented on these new sites. • It is indicated that a wider range of Myrtaceae species may be susceptible to myrtle rust. • It may have been in Australia longer than first thought (for up to 12 months). • There have been no detections of the disease in surrounding native forests.
Activities to manage Myrtle rust are being implemented under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) - a legally binding agreement between the Australian Government, all state and territory governments, national plant industry body signatories and Plant Health Australia.
In addition to PHA’s normal commitments, PHA Project Officer Amy Forbes travelled to Gosford last week to support the surveillance efforts initiated in June by Industry and Investment NSW. Amy assisted in the inspection of trace backs and forwards from infected premises.
Amy will travel to Gosford again in the coming weeks to resume her efforts in assisting with associated surveillance activities. PHA has learned a great deal from its recent involvement in the operations, particularly with regards to field surveillance during an EPP incursion and intricacies surrounding state quarantine.
Signs that plants may have Myrtle rust include masses of orange to yellow powdery spores on new growth and curling or distortion of infected leaves. If you see any Myrtaceae plants showing symptoms similar to these, report them immediately to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
The Exotic Plant Pest Hotline is a free telephone service staffed during normal business hours in each Australian State and Territory. The service allows callers to directly report suspect pest detections to an area where action can be taken by knowledgeable staff.
Early detection and reporting of incursions such as Myrtle rust enhances the chance of effective control and eradication, and will also minimise long-term damage to individual producers and industries.
Click here for further advice surrounding actions to suppress Myrtle rust.