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 2016–17, gross vegetable and potato production was valued at $2.2 billion. Major crops include potatoes, carrots and lettuce. Potato production alone was valued at $510 million. Exports of vegetables, including potatoes, were worth $192 million.
Australia’s diverse climate and soils accommodate vegetable cultivation in all states and territories, ensuring a constant supply of fresh vegetables. Australian vegetable growers provide the majority of fresh vegetables consumed in Australia and an increasing amount of fresh vegetables consumed overseas.
The Australian vegetable industry is committed to building its capacity to respond to potential biosecurity threats. A vegetable Industry Biosecurity Advisor, two full-time farm biosecurity officers, and a potatoes pest surveillance project officer allow the industry to participate in a range of biosecurity initiatives.
During 2018, the farm biosecurity officers visited a number of growing regions across Australia and held a series of biosecurity awareness seminars. Farm biosecurity planning resources have been reviewed and updated to reflect industry needs.
Other biosecurity initiatives include participation in technical meetings with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as well as engagement with other government departments, committees, bodies and PHA.
The Australian vegetable industry is covered by version 3.0 of the vegetable biosecurity plan, the Farm Biosecurity Manual for the Northern Adelaide Plains Vegetable Growers Version 1.0 and the Biosecurity Induction Manual for Bundaberg Horticultural Farms Version 1.0.
Value of production and distribution
Annual value of vegetable production, 2007–17
Distribution of vegetable production by state and territory, 2017–18 (based on LVP)
Biosecurity plans, manuals and resources
Industry biosecurity plans
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 Industry 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]
Farm biosecurity manuals
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.
