Walnuts

The Australian Walnut Industry Association represents the biosecurity interests of walnut 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

About 45 per cent of Australia’s walnut production is exported with greatest demand for in-shell walnuts in China, Turkey and Italy.

The Australian walnut industry operates in most states of Australia. Major walnut production areas are on the east coast of Tasmania; the Goulburn Valley near Shepparton; the Murray Irrigation Area near Kerang and Swan Hill in Victoria; the Riverina near Griffith in New South Wales; and Manjimup in Western Australia.

Tree nut IBPBiosecurity Plan for the Tree Nut Industry

Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the almond 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 Tree Nut 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.

Nuts PostcardPostcard

Promotional item to support the exotic plant pest hotline 1800 084 881.

Exotic pests (not in Australia)

The following is a list of high priority exotic pests of walnuts. These pests were identified during the development of the Biosecurity Plan for the Tree Nut 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.

Common name Scientific name EPPRD Category Fact sheet Contingency plan Diagnostic protocol
Brown-marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys FS FS FS CP
Spongy moths Lymantria dispar and Lymantria mathura FS FS FS CP DP
Khapra beetle Trogoderma granarium 2 FS FS CP DP
Navel orangeworm Amyelois transitella 3 FS
Verticillium wilt Verticillium dahliae (exotic defoliating strains) 3 FS
Xylella fastidiosa Xylella fastidiosa including X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex and pauca 2 FS FS FS FS FS FS CP CPDP

Other pests

The following is a list of documents for other exotic pests of walnuts. Please note that this is not a complete list of walnut 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 walnut industry and are included for information only.

Common name Scientific name EPPRD Category Fact sheet Contingency plan Diagnostic protocol
Citrus longicorn beetle Anoplophora chinensis FS CP
European canker Neonectria ditissima FS FS
False codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta syn Cryptophlebia leucotreta 2 FS CP
Filbertworm Cydia latiferreana FS
Glassy-winged sharpshooter Homalodisca vitripennis FS FS FS FS FS FS FS CP CP
Spongy moths Lymantria dispar and Lymantria mathura FS FS FS CP
Omnivorous leaf roller Platynota stultana FS
Orange tortrix Argyrotaenia citrana syn A. franciscana FS
Pacific spider mite Tetranychus pacificus FS
Strawberry spider mite Tetranychus turkestani FS
Texas root rot Phymatotrichopsis omnivora (syn Phymatotrichum omnivorum) 2 FS FS
Walnut husk fly Rhagoletis completa FS