AUSVEG represents the biosecurity interests of vegetable and potato 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 2018–19, vegetable and potato production was valued at $2.6 billion (LVP). Major crops include potatoes, carrots and lettuce. Potato production alone was valued at $659 million (LVP). Exports of vegetables, including potatoes, were valued at $292 million.
Australia’s diverse climate and soils accommodate vegetable cultivation in all states and territories, ensuring a constant supply of fresh vegetables. Australian growers provide the majority of fresh vegetables consumed in Australia, and an increasing amount of fresh vegetables are consumed overseas.
The Australian vegetable industry is committed to building its capacity to respond to potential biosecurity threats. The employment of two full-time biosecurity officers, a tomato potato psyllid national coordinator and a potato pest surveillance officer allows the industry to participate in a range of biosecurity related initiatives.
In 2020, the biosecurity officers visited numerous growing regions in Australia including Bundaberg in Queensland, Katherine and Darwin in Northern Territory, Southern Tablelands in New South Wales, and the Lockyer Valley in Queensland. They held a series of regional biosecurity awareness seminars in these regions and visited 18 individual farms. Due to Covid-19, further farm visits were not possible after mid-March. Instead, the officers conducted extensive grower consultation and interview sessions by telephone and Zoom. They also ran more than 10 biosecurity webinars and developed several videos and podcasts. Recordings of these are available at ausveg.com.au
The biosecurity officers also participated in technical committee, consultation and project development meetings with the DAWE, and engaged with state government departments, other industry bodies and PHA. They also facilitated a Melbourne-based pilot program that focused on exotic plant pest awareness in urban environments. Officers engaged with community gardeners and urban farmers, raising awareness of exotic plant pests and reporting protocols.
In 2020, the National Potato Biosecurity Surveillance Strategy was finalised, which involved significant engagement with potato growers, processors, seed suppliers and certifiers, industry bodies, the Australian Government and governments in Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland.
Value of production and distribution
Annual value of vegetable production, 2008–19
Distribution of vegetable production by state and territory, 2018–19 (based on LVP)
Biosecurity plans, manuals and resources
Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the vegetable 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 Vegetable 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 [email protected]
The Farm Biosecurity Manual for the Northern Adelaide Plains Vegetable Growers contains information to help producers 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 self-assessment checklist, and templates to record pest surveillance records and visitors.
An integral part of the Biosecurity Induction Manual for Bundaberg Horticultural Farms is the 'Induction and farm biosecurity risk checklist'.
More information about on-farm biosecurity for both plant and livestock producers is available from the Farm Biosecurity website.
The Exotic Pest Identification and Surveillance Guide for Tropical Horticulture was developed with funding from the Australia Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
Inspecting crops for signs of new pests is one way growers can protect Australia’s plant industries from exotic pests, as early detection and reporting improves the chances of successfully containing or eradicating new pests. The guide is in two sections:
• Biosecurity and surveillance
• Identification of key exotic pests.
