VEGETABLE and melon growers have been cautioned against planting any cucurbit seed that was imported to Australia before November 4 last year.
In an e-mail update to the melon industry, Emerald melon grower and Australian Melon Association (AMA) chairman Mark Daunt confirmed the outbreak of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) on a farm in Queensland was linked to a batch of seed that had previously tested positive for CGMMV.
The update said the batch was linked to one of the infected farms in the Northern Territory.
The farm, located near Charters Towers, is currently under quarantine.
Mr Daunt warned growers to be extra vigilant as the virus is virulent and easily spread. CGMMV is spread by contact with infected plant material or contaminated machinery or equipment, soil, water, infected seed or contaminated packing material.
It may also be moved by wildlife and bees.
“Melon and most likely other cucurbit seed imported before the higher level of testing commenced (since November 4) is still being distributed and planted and this seed could be a source of CGMMV inoculants,” Mr Daunt said.
“Any cucurbit seed, particularly seed purchased before 4th November that is not certified as being CGMMV free should be regarded as a risk until shown to be otherwise. Existing seed stocks can be tested by contacting your state biosecurity agency.”
Seed consignments that entered Australia after November 4 2014 should be accompanied by an official government Phytosanitary Certificate that states the seed was tested and found free from CGMMV.
The AMA has encouraged growers to request their Australian seed suppliers provide a statement to the effect that the seed has been tested using the ELISA method for both cultivars and rootstocks.
The remoteness of the infected Charters Towers property could prove a benefit for authorities looking at controlling the disease.
Australian chief plant protection officer Dr Kim Ritman, said the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries had confirmed the detection and isolated the affected property.
“Australia has well-established, effective biosecurity processes in place to respond to biosecurity incidents inside Australia,” Dr Ritman said.
“The Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD), managed by Plant Health Australia, defines roles and responsibilities across Australian, state and territory governments and formalises the role of industry in this response.
“Biosecurity protocols were immediately activated following the identification of this virus in Queensland.
“The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is to be commended for its decisive response to this incident.”
The action comes despite the Australian Melon Association not being a signatory to the EPPRD which means affected melon growers are unlikely to be eligible for financial assistance.
Dr Ritman is also Chair of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP), Australia's key technical body for coordinating national responses to emergency plant pests.
The virus was first detected in the Northern Territory in September 2014, where it is considered established, but subject to an official control and containment program.
Meanwhile, State Member for Dalrymple and Katter’s Australian Party member Shane Knuth has called for the re-opening of a biosecurity unit in Townsville, following the discovery of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) near Charters Towers.
Mr Knuth said the Townsville biosecurity unit was closed under the Newman LNP Government but re-opening it would mean better surveillance and biosecurity officers on the ground that are accessible and already working with the agricultural and beef industry.
“It would also mean a return of jobs that were lost as a result of the closure,” he said.
Mr Knuth also said that he was relieved that other farmers had not been affected at this stage.
“Many farmers are concerned at this outbreak, but we’re very pleased at this present moment that there are no restrictions on any other farms in the region,” Mr Knuth said.
