AGRIBUSINESS

Biosecurity reminder issued for field days and events

Biosecurity and vehicle hygiene needs to be top of mind for event and field day attendees.

Staff writer
 Biosecurity and vehicle hygiene are important for moving between farms . Picture courtesy DPIRD.

Biosecurity and vehicle hygiene are important for moving between farms . Picture courtesy DPIRD.

One reminder has been issued by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in Western Australia with a plea to ‘come clean, go clean' to protect farms.

In WA, thousands of people from around the state are expected to attend annual events, like the Dowerin Field Days, as well as several on-farm field days throughout the Wheatbelt during spring.

DPIRD grains biosecurity officer, Jeff Russell, urged field day visitors, exhibitors and hosts to take biosecurity precautions when attending events to minimise the risk of moving pests, diseases or weed threats.

"Soil, seeds and plant material on vehicles, machinery and footwear can easily carry pests, weeds and diseases, which can be transferred between properties," Russell said.

"It's important to employ good hygiene measures before and after attending these events to prevent a biosecurity risk being introduced to a new property, particularly cleaning down vehicles, equipment, tools and clothing."

Russell said it was important to implement sound onfarm biosecurity practices to safeguard properties, as well as access to valuable export markets.

"Being prepared for biosecurity threats has never been more important so it's important to remain vigilant and adopt the highest of biosecurity measures," he said.

"Biosecurity is everyone's business and it is important we all work together - government, industry and community - to maintain the State's pest and disease defences that protect farmers' livelihoods and the grains industry."

Any unfamiliar plant or animal pests or diseases should be reported immediately to DPIRD's Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080 or enquiries@dpird.wa.gov.au or via the MyPestGuide Reporter App.

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