To ensure its future viability and sustainability, it is important that the Australian melon industry, represented by Australian Melon Association Inc. as the peak industry body, minimises the risks posed by exotic pests and responds effectively to plant pest threats. This plan is a framework to coordinate biosecurity activities and investment for Australia’s melon industry. It provides a mechanism for industry, governments and stakeholders to better prepare for and respond to, incursions of pests that could have significant impacts on the melon industry. It identifies and prioritises exotic plant pests (not currently present in Australia) and established pests of biosecurity concern and focuses on future biosecurity challenges.
The Biosecurity Plan for the Melon Industry was developed by the Australian Melon Association Inc. in consultation with Plant Health Australia and the Technical Expert Group, which consisted of plant health and biosecurity experts and industry representatives.
The development of Threat Summary Tables, constituting a list of 68 exotic plant pests and the potential biosecurity threat that they represent to the Australian melon industry was key to the industry biosecurity planning process. Each pest on the list was given an overall risk rating based on four criteria; entry, establishment, spread potential, and economic impact. In this biosecurity plan, established pests of biosecurity significance for the melon industry were also identified as good biosecurity practice is beneficial for the ongoing management and surveillance for these pests.
The Biosecurity Plan for the Melon Industry also details current mitigation and surveillance activities being undertaken and identifies contingency plans, fact sheets and diagnostic protocols that have been developed for pests relevant to the melon industry.
For a copy of Biosecurity Plan for the Melon Industry – version 2 (May 2020), please contact the Melons Australia Executive Officer at execofficer@melonsaustralia.org.au