The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has issued a biosecurity reminder to visitors and photographers admiring spring canola crops and wildflowers.
Urging people not to stray onto farm property, Grains Biosecurity Officer at DPIRD, Jeff Russell said locals and tourists could unwittingly spread weeds, pests or diseases, posing a biosecurity risk to crops and livestock.
“Weed seeds and soil material that may contain a fungal disease could easily be spread on footwear or vehicles to other properties, which could have a potentially devastating impact,” Mr Russell said.
“It is not appropriate to jump the fence onto a farmer’s property and a far too great a biosecurity risk, so best to stay on the road verge to admire the view and take photographs from there.”
Mr Russell said the public could assist the Department by monitoring road verges for pests and diseases and reporting observations.
“Roadside monitoring makes an important contribution to biosecurity surveillance, as a first line of defence,” he said.
“By downloading the free DPIRD MyPestGuide Reporter app, people can take a photograph of any insects or suspect plant diseases on the road verge, send it to the Department and our team will respond with a diagnosis and risk determination.”
Further information on how to download the MyPestGuide Reporter app is available on the DPIRD website at this PS News link.
