Myrtle rust in NSW sparks nationwide concernTuesday,...

Myrtle rust in NSW sparks nationwide concern

Tuesday, 11/05/2010-ABC


Quarantine authorities in Tasmania and WA have banned imports of nursery products from NSW after the discovery of myrtle rust last week.

Myrtle rust produces lesions on young, actively growing leaves and shoots causing them to buckle and twist.

Some in the industry say it's the "foot and mouth" of native tree species.

Chairman of the WA division of the Institute of Foresters, David Wettenhall, says the Commonwealth and WA State Governments must be more proactive in preventing the rust establishing in Australia.

"This rust is closely related to, and may even be the eucalypt rust which is one of the most threatening rusts to Australian native flora."

"It's one of the worst things that we could get in Australia."

"I've been thinking of many parallels with the equine influenza outbreak that happened and looking at our response to that versus our response this Myrtle rust that has come in to Australia."

One NSW grower has had $20,000 dollars of tube stock held up because of the ban.

The rust was found on a Central Coast foliage farm and further searches have found just one other location nearby.

Despite initial fears it could not be eradicated, authorities think it may still be possible and a national committee will make that decision soon.