Update on Response to Myrtle rust - 27 July 2011

27 July 2011

The Myrtle rust Coordination Group met on 20 June 2011 to consider further actions to respond to Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii) detections in New South Wales and Queensland.

Myrtle rust is a disease that affects the Myrtaceae family of plants, which includes many Australian natives including bottle brush and eucalyptus. Myrtle rust was first detected in Australia on the Central Coast of New South Wales in April 2010.

Analysis of the detections in state forests and nature reserves suggests that the disease may have been present in Australia for at least two years prior to detection. 

The Myrtle rust Coordination Group is coordinating a program of actions to respond to Myrtle rust, focusing on attempting to mitigate its impact on the natural environment, including on threatened and endangered species and on industries that rely on Myrtaceae, such as the florist, nursery and timber sectors.

Research work to determine the taxonomy and genetic information of this disease is underway in an attempt to identify the exact classification of the rust. Other elements of the program are aimed at investigating the feasibility of a resistance breeding program, developing education and awareness-raising information products and making them easily accessible.

The Australian Government announced on 20 May 2011 that $1.5 million will be allocated towards these actions as part of a national pilot program aimed at creating an ongoing solution to the management of the rust.

Members of the Myrtle rust Coordination Group include representatives of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, representatives of state and territory primary industries and environment departments, Plant Health Australia, A3P, Nursery and Garden Industry Australia, the Institute of Foresters of Australia, the Australasian Plant Pathology Society, the Australian Forest Products Association, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, New Rural Industries Australia, the Australian Tea Tree Industry Association, and Wildflowers Australia. Representatives of other non-government organisations have also been asked to contribute their skills and expertise.

Previous communiqués on Myrtle rust and information activities undertaken to date.