Be lupin anthracnose aware

NSW Farmers is reminding producers to help protect NSW from importing lupin anthracnose in interstate feed and fodder.
 
NSW Farmers Grains Committee chair Matthew Madden said that lupin anthracnose poses a serious risk to the NSW grains industry and has potential to cause complete crop losses in susceptible varieties.
 
“In NSW, we’ve worked hard to ensure our state is free of lupin anthracnose – it would be disastrous for our industry if it came into the state on imported feed,” Mr Madden said.
 
“Growers are naturally looking to secure feed as we face ongoing drought conditions, but everyone needs to be aware of their biosecurity responsibilities. We need to be proactive to keep this disease out of NSW.”
 
Infected seeds are the main source of spread of lupin anthracnose. Lupin anthracnose can also be spread by infected stubble through rain splash, and movement of spores by contaminated machinery, vehicles, people, animals and fodder between lupin crops and cropping areas.
 
All lupin material grown in Western Australia and South Australia is prohibited to enter NSW unless it meets strict permit conditions designed to ensure that any lupin grain has been treated in a manner that makes the grain unviable. 
 
Mr Madden said that responsibility for complying with import conditions lies with the importer in NSW.
 
“Growers purchasing fodder from Western Australia and South Australia should request a commodity vendor declaration from the vendor declaring that the fodder is free of lupin material.”
 
Lupin anthracnose is a notifiable plant disease in NSW, and any suspect cases must be reported within one working day. Notifiable plant pests and diseases can be reported by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
 
Mr Madden said that for questions about import conditions, or if you suspect any non-compliance with fodder import permits or any other biosecurity issue, you should contact the Department of Primary Industries on 1800 680 244 or [email protected].  

Date: Tuesday 17 December 2019 
Media Contact:  Michael Burt  | 0428 228 988 | [email protected]