Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic virus

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland) (17:34): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Minister, what preparations is the government undertaking as a result of the recent outbreak in the Northern Territory of the cucumber green mottle mosaic virus and is there another type of green mottle mosaic virus?

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport, Minister for Racing) (17:34): I thank the member for the question. I was out at the produce markets at Pooraka at 5 o'clock this morning. It is an issue that is of major concern to people out there. The Northern Territory Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, the Hon. Willem Westra van Holthe, has written to me with an update on the cucumber green mottle mosaic virus affecting some fruits and vegetables. This disease is highly contagious and has been detected in the Northern Territory. This is the first detection of the disease in Australia.

The virus does not cause human illness from consumption of infected hosts. The host range of the strain in the Northern Territory is not yet clear; however, strains of this virus are known to infect most, if not all, cucurbits, which include cucumber, melons, zucchini, pumpkin, squash, bitter gourd and bottle gourd. There are a range of symptoms, and severity can vary greatly between different varieties. Symptoms may include wilting and death of all or part of the plant, and infected fruit may be unsaleable. The virus is commonly transmitted when uninfected plants come into contact with infected plant debris, or contaminated machinery or equipment. It may also be transmitted from contaminated soil and water, infected seed, transplants, root stock and contaminated packing material.

The Northern Territory government has declared quarantine zones in areas around Katherine and Darwin following detection of the virus. Nine commercial watermelon farms there have been placed under quarantine and three more suspect farms have also been quarantined. I am informed that all known commercial watermelon farmers in the Northern Territory have been alerted to this detection and of the seriousness of this disease.

In South Australia, the government is putting measures in place to ensure we do not get this virus here and to address the risk of movement of affected fruit and vegetables. These measures include listing the disease as a regulated plant pest to enable entry restrictions to be established. Some watermelons from Northern Territory arrived in South Australia a few days before the quarantine restrictions were announced. Biosecurity SA has placed a hold on these watermelons while they are tested for the virus. If tests are positive, consignments will either be returned to the Northern Territory or destroyed appropriately. This will occur in consultation with the owners of the produce.

Meanwhile, the Australian government Department of Agriculture has imposed emergency measures on cucurbit host seeds, tissue cultures and nursery stock to prevent further entry of the cucumber green mottle mosaic virus to Australia. Australia imports large quantities of cucurbit seed for commercial production—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Yes, cucurbit—my favourite seed. Under the new arrangements, only seed that has been tested and found free of the virus will be allowed entry into Australia. Imports of tissue cultures and nursery stock have been suspended until further notice. No export markets have changed import requirements. The Australian government Department of Agriculture is certifying product for export as normal, excluding gazetted quarantine areas, based on advice from the Northern Territory government. Although South Australia does not grow a lot of watermelons, we have significant production of other cucurbit crops such as cucumbers and pumpkins.

Mr Whetstone: Cucurbits.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Cucurbits—thank you very much, member for Chaffey, the George Donikian of the house. I thank you. We produce approximately $68 million per annum of cucumbers here in South Australia, and South Australian growers are urged to inspect their crops regularly for the virus as symptoms can develop rapidly. Good biosecurity practices are essential to prevent this virus getting into South Australia and onto farms. This means not allowing vehicles, equipment and machinery to move between farms without being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

The SPEAKER: I am afraid the minister's time has expired.