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Emergency response to the incursion of an exotic myrtaceous rust in Australia

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Abstract

In April 2010, an exotic rust of Myrtaceae was detected in New South Wales, Australia, identified as Uredo rangelii and provided a new common name, ‘myrtle rust’. It was declared an Exotic Plant Pest as it was recognised as a taxon within the Puccinia psidii (eucalyptus/guava rust) complex, which is a key biosecurity threat to Australia. This paper describes the emergency response that ensued, including surveillance, tracing, quarantine, destruction and community engagement. A unique aspect of this emergency response was the disjointed stages of action, with the response initially falling under national emergency management procedures (PLANTPLAN) for 1 week (Stage I), then outside the national process and under the state process for a further 2 months (Stage II), before falling again under the national emergency response program (Stage III). Problems associated with the identity of the introduced rust are discussed, and a brief update on the current status of the rust, now established in Australia, is provided, including distribution and impact in the native environment and affected industries. Major outcomes of recent reviews of the emergency response are outlined.

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Acknowledgements

Many people assisted in the emergency response and we thank them all. Special mention to Jonathan Lidbetter, Martin Horwood and Matt Nagel, the Industry & Investment NSW Biosecurity First Response Team, and members of the State Control Centre (Industry & Investment NSW) in Orange, including Satendra Kumar, Kathy Gott and Chris Anderson. Various government departments and other organisations are thanked for their assistance by providing staff for surveillance, with special mention to Gosford and Wyong Local Councils, Forests NSW and other local industries. The first author thanks John Walker and Roger Shivas for discussions on the taxonomy of the introduced rust and Roger Shivas for permission to use images of the rust. Richard Roger (Industry & Investment NSW) is thanked for Fig. 2. We also thank Satendra Kumar and Kathy Gott (Plant Biosecurity, Industry & Investment NSW), Mike Cole and Mikael Hirsch (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), Rodney Turner (Plant Health Australia), John Walker and an anonymous reviewer for suggestions to improve the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest Biosecurity and Resource Assessment, Biosecurity Research, Industry and Investment NSW, PO Box 100, Beecroft, 2119, NSW, Australia

    Angus J. Carnegie

  2. Biosecurity Emergency Preparedness & Response, Industry & Investment NSW, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, PMB 8, Camden, 2570, NSW, Australia

    Kevin Cooper

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  1. Angus J. Carnegie
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Correspondence to Angus J. Carnegie.

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Carnegie, A.J., Cooper, K. Emergency response to the incursion of an exotic myrtaceous rust in Australia. Australasian Plant Pathol. 40, 346–359 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-011-0066-6

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