Two separate areas have been placed under quarantine at Berrimah Research Farm following the confirmed detection of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus.
Acting DPIF Chief Executive Ian Curnow said these sites will be treated exactly the same as any other premises infected by CGMMV in the Northern Territory.
‘This detection will not affect the ability of NT growers to trade produce interstate or the arrangement to lift quarantine for NT growers in late February 2016.’
Mr Curnow said the Department takes biosecurity very seriously, maintaining faith and confidence in our own biosecurity practices is vital.
‘An independent investigator will be appointed to examine DPIF’s biosecurity policies and procedures following this detection. Industry and relevant stakeholders will have input into developing the terms of reference for this investigation.
‘Any recommendations from the independent investigator about better or more effective biosecurity processes will be shared with industry stakeholders.’
Mr Curnow said all melons, cucumbers and cucurbit’s grown at Berrimah Research Farm are subject to regular CGMMV testing, a process which identified this outbreak before Christmas.
‘We know that the seedlings grown on this site tested negative for CGMMV in October last year, which means we can narrow the focus of the investigation to within the last quarter of 2015.’
The Acting Chief Executive said the holiday closure of interstate testing facilities meant samples taken in late December were only confirmed with a positive result last week.
‘As soon as we had a suspicion of CGMMV we immediately implemented full quarantine restrictions around the two areas and we destroyed all effected plant material by spraying.’
Mr Curnow said this confirmed detection will not change the management of CGMMV in the Territory.
‘Quarantine arrangements for NT cucurbit growers will be lifted in February 2016 and there will be no interstate trade restrictions on produce. Berrimah Research Farm will adopt the same controls as industry to minimise the risk of transferring CGMMV.
For further information:
David Bone
DPIF Media Manager
08 8999 2097 or 0419 106 309.