The Australian Blueberry Growers’ Association represents the biosecurity interests of blueberry growers and the industry. They are members of Plant Health Australia and are involved in:
- biosecurity planning and implementation at the national and farm levels
- liaising with federal and state governments on trade issues
- funding and supporting biosecurity initiatives.
Industry overview
The major production area is on the New South Wales north coast. New South Wales produced around 85 per cent of the Australian crop in 2019. Other regions have increased plantings to take advantage of late and early season fruit, with the aim of having Australian blueberries available all year-round.
The crop is grown on the New South Wales north coast and Tumbarumba in southern New South Wales; the Atherton Tablelands, Bundaberg and Mundubbera in Queensland; the Tamar Valley, Meander Valley, Bernie, Devonport and the Huon Valley in Tasmania; the Grampians, Silvan and Strathbogie in Victoria; Margaret River and Geraldton in Western Australia; and the Mount Lofty ranges in South Australia.
There are three varieties of blueberries grown in Australia: northern highbush, southern highbush and rabbiteye. Northern highbush are grown in the cooler climate areas such as Victoria, Tasmania and the southern highlands of New South Wales, whereas southern highbush and rabbiteye varieties are grown in New South Wales and Queensland.
Biosecurity plan, manual and resources
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Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the blueberry industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to assess current biosecurity practices and future biosecurity needs. Planning identifies procedures that can be put in place to reduce the chance of pests reaching our borders or minimise the impact if a pest incursion occurs.
The Biosecurity Plan for the Blueberry Industry outlines key threats to the industry, risk mitigation plans, identification and categorisation of exotic pests and contingency plans. For a copy, please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email biosecurity@phau.com.au
Improving pollination
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Pests
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Exotic pests (not in Australia)
The following is a list of high priority exotic pests of blueberries. These pests were identified during the development of the Biosecurity Plan for the Blueberry Industry in consultation with industry, government and scientists. They have been assessed as high priority pests based on their potential to enter, establish, and spread in Australia (eg environmental factors, host range, vectors) and the cost to industry of control measures.
PHA has a range of fact sheets, contingency plans and diagnostic protocols relevant to these pests. Pest risk review documents are also available for some pests. Please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email biosecurity@phau.com.au for more information.
Endorsed National Diagnostic Protocols are available from the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network webpage.
Other pests
The following is a list of documents for other exotic and endemic pests of the blueberry industry. Please note that this is not a complete list of pests: rather it includes pests for which documents exist in the Pest Information Document Database.
Some of the documents presented here are not tailored to the blueberry industry and are included for information only.
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