CANEGROWERS represent the biosecurity interests of sugarcane producers and the industry. They are members of Plant Health Australia and signatories to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. Their responsibilities include:
- biosecurity planning and implementation at the national and farm levels
- liaising with federal and state governments on trade issues
- funding and supporting biosecurity initiatives
- participating in national committees and response efforts in an emergency.
Industry overview
In 2015–16, sugarcane production was valued at $1.25 billion. The Australian cane industry produces 30–35 million tonnes of cane per year, which, when processed, equates to around 4–4.5 million tonnes of sugar.
In 2016, the Australian sugarcane industry delivered a crop of 36,507,438 tonnes producing 4,791,222 tonnes of sugar.
Australia’s sugarcane is grown in high rainfall and irrigated areas along coastal plains and river valleys on 2,100 km of Australia’s eastern coastline between Mossman in far north Queensland and Grafton in NSW. Queensland accounts for about 95 per cent of Australia’s raw sugar production.
Australia is the world’s third largest exporter of raw sugar, with approximately 80 per cent of production sold to international markets. Major export customers include east Asia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, the United States and New Zealand.
The sugarcane industry is covered by version 2.01 of the sugarcane biosecurity plan and version 1.0 of the Biosecurity Manual for Sugarcane Producers.
Value of production and distribution
Annual value of sugarcane production, 2007–16
Distribution of sugarcane production by state and territory, 2015–16 (based on LVP)
Biosecurity plans, manuals and resources
Biosecurity Plan for the Sugarcane Industry
Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the sugarcane 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 following documents have been prepared for the sugarcane industry.
The Biosecurity Plan for the Sugarcane Industry (version 3) 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 admin@phau.com.au
Biosecurity Manual for Sugarcane Producers
The Biosecurity Manual for Sugarcane Producers contains information to help growers to implement biosecurity on-farm. Manuals usually contain an overview of biosecurity, fact sheets to identify the high priority pests of a crop, tips on crop management, and how to manage people, vehicles and equipment to minimise biosecurity risks. Manuals also contain a biosecurity self-assessment list, and templates to record pest surveillance records and visitors.
More information about on-farm biosecurity for both plant and livestock producers is available from the Farm Biosecurity website.
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