Myrtle Rust National Management Group - 20 Aug 2010

DAFF

20 August 2010

National Management Group agrees to intensified management response to Myrtle rust

 
The Myrtle rust National Management Group (NMG) met on 17 August 2010 to consider intensified surveillance and containment actions for Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii).

Myrtle rust was first detected in Australia in April at a cut flower growing facility in the central coast of New South Wales.

To date, there has been no detection of the disease on Eucalyptus and other species of Myrtaceae in surrounding native forests.

An interim response plan was implemented by the Myrtle Rust NMG on 2 July 2010,  to suppress Myrtle rust with a long-term view to the eradication of the disease, while additional data was obtained.
 
Actions in the interim response plan included:

• host testing under controlled circumstances
• DNA analysis
• surveillance of known infected properties and the natural environment
• destruction of host material
• ongoing suppression activities, including the application of fungicides, at known infected properties.

Myrtle rust has now been detected on six sites in the central coast of New South Wales. New South Wales authorities have established a quarantine area for the Wyong and Gosford Local Government Areas, covering the six infected properties detected to date.

Survey and surveillance work has so far found evidence of eight species of plants in the plant family Myrtaceae currently affected by Myrtle rust:

• willow myrtle (Agonis flexuosa)
• turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera)
• bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis)
• round-leaved tea tree (Leptospermum rotundifolium)
• water gum (Tristania neriifolia)
• Tahiti (Metrosideros collina “dwarf”)
• thready-barked myrtle, aurora and blushing beauty (Austromyrtus inophloia – renamed Gossia inophloia)
• a cultivated hybrid of lilly pilly (Syzygium leumannii x Syzygium wilsonii).

New measures agreed by the Myrtle rust NMG are additional to those contained in the interim response plan.  These actions will continue to suppress the disease and assist in its delimitation.
 
The new measures include:

• the destruction and disposal of all commercial Myrtaceae plants on the two properties most severely infected
• increased spraying and fungicide application on all known infected properties including spraying a buffer zone around each property
• the application of fungicide to a 30m wide strip of bushland where it adjoins known infected properties
• surveillance in a buffer area around each of the known infected properties with a particular focus on susceptible hosts
• increased surveillance of all commercial nurseries with Myrtaceae within the quarantine area established by NSW authorities
• inspection of Myrtaceae on approximately 310 domestic premises in the quarantine area
• targeted communication activities in NSW including the distribution of educational materials to commercial nurseries, information to local residents, meetings with stakeholders and road signage in the quarantine area.

While every effort is being made to suppress the disease with the aim of eradication, the NMG recognises that eradication may not be possible. Rust spores are highly transportable and can be spread via contaminated clothing, insect movement and wind dispersal. Warmer spring weather conditions and actively growing host plants will also develop in the next few weeks and will be key factors in determining whether the fungus is suppressed and if it can be effectively contained and eradicated.

Activities to manage Myrtle rust is being implemented under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) - a legally binding agreement between the Australian Government, all state and territory governments, national plant industry body signatories and Plant Health Australia.

The Myrtle Rust NMG is comprised of the chief executive officers of the national and state/territory departments of agriculture and primary industries across Australia, representatives of peak industry bodies and Plant Health Australia. The group is chaired by the Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Conall O’Connell. 

Further advice on actions to suppress Myrtle rust can be found in these questions and answers and on the website of the NSW Department of Industry and Investment.