Plant Health in Australia
Historically, interstate biosecurity risks within Australian horticulture have been focused on the produce from food based crops and the likely impact on state based primary industries. In recent years state biosecurity agencies have identified the increased pest risks associated with interstate greenlife trade and are acting to minimise these risks through plant movement regulations. The nursery industry must adapt to this increased attention and enhanced regulatory pressure through professional on-farm monitoring, record keeping and pest management.
In this Nursery Paper Grant Dalwood, Nursery & Garden Industry South Australia (NGISA) Industry Development Officer (IDO) discusses plant health in Australia and the newly implemented South Australia Plant Health Act 2009 and how it affects those who are both exporting to and importing into South Australia.