The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is giving the public an opportunity to join a month-long campaign to help protect the State’s trees from unwanted pests and diseases.
Part of an annual campaign held by the Department, this year the trees are entitled as the TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz and form part of a broader work by the Department to deliver a strong biosecurity system to support agricultural industries, environment and lifestyle.
The Department said visitors to the Perth Royal Show can sign up to the blitz and pick up tree pest and disease information at the Department’s display, located at the Farm 2 Food Pavilion.
Minister for Agriculture and Food, Alannah MacTiernan said the TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz presented a fantastic opportunity for citizen scientists and nature lovers to play their part in protecting the health of the State’s trees.
Ms MacTiernan said the Department had been responding to two serious tree pest incursions — polyphagous shot-hole borer, first detected in East Fremantle in September last year, and a single detection of myrtle rust in a remote area of the East Kimberley in June.
“Threats such as these highlight the importance of strong biosecurity in supporting our highly-valued agricultural industries and environment,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“Every report made helps to increase the likelihood that serious pests and diseases will be detected early, giving us a better chance to eradicate or contain them, as well as protecting our State’s export trade.”
The blitz runs until 24 October 2022 with more information about the Blitz at this PS News link.
