Peel harvey Biosecurity Group

UPCOMING EVENTS

Weed ID and Advice Workshop

The popular Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) Weed ID and Advice Workshop is being held at Serpentine Jarrahdale Community Resource Centre, Mundijong on Thursday the 28th September from 10am to 4 pm.

Over the last four years more than 150 landholders have attended these workshops and reported a high level of satisfaction with the interactive format. Landholders report the workshops increased their knowledge of weed identification and control.

The PHBG welcome back weed experts, Greg Keighery, Order of Australia recipient, and Principal Ecologist Andrew Mitchell, as hosts to the workshops.

“The first step in weed control is correct identification - knowing which weed you’re dealing with helps direct control efforts to the most effective method.  At our previous workshops over 80% of attendees said they would be more confident identifying weeds going forward," said Executive Officer, Teele Hooper-Worrell.

industry news

Red Dwarf Honey Bees 

A Quarantine Area has been declared for the Burrup Peninsula in the Pilbara (see map) to support a biosecurity response to eradicate Red dwarf honey bee. 

Red dwarf honey bees and the parasitic mites which they may carry are native to South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia. Unfortunately there have been red dwarf honey bee detections in Dampier and Karratha this year. 

What to look for...

How you can help...

When at home and when holidaying around our state, keep an eye out for red dwarf honey bees and immediately report any sightings by: Calling the DPIRD Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080, emailing padis@dpird.wa.gov.au or using the MyPestGuideReporter™ app.

More information here.

Source: agric.wa.gov.au 21 September 2023

Queensland Fruit Fly

As was reported in the PHBG winter 2023 newsletter, DPIRD is working to stop the spread of the significant invasive pest, Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), after a confirmed detection in Bayswater.

As at 15th August 2023, a quarantine area is still declared covering 15km radius around the suburbs of Bayswater and Belmont. Read the full article to see what areas are affected by the restrictions and learn more about this serious pest.

Any sightings should be reported to Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
Phone +61 (0)8 9368 3080
Email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au

MyPestGuide™ Reporter
via app or online
mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au

How to spot Q-fly

Source: agric.wa.gov.au 15 September 2023


 Feral deer - what to do about rising numbers? 

This article from the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions cites the annual economic impact from feral deer to be around $90 million, and outlines the research, development and engagement underway at a national level to tackle feral deer. 

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From ABC South West WA:

'White weeping broom takes over Preston Beach threatening Western Australian native groundcover'

White weeping broom has emerged as a weed of significant concern in Preston Beach and threatens to impact the Yalgorup National Park.

The Shire of Waroona is working to implement regulations that would compel landholders to control this pest now and to stop people selling or planting it. 

Read the full article here.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

DPIRD is asking for all sightings of sulphur crested cockatoos to be reported - and if you can get a photo that is helpful.

These large birds are agricultural pests and have a loud screeching call - you may hear them before you see them!

Sightings can be reported by calling 9368 3080, emailing padis@dpird.wa.gov.auvia the mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au website or using the MyPestGuide Reporter app.


Carpet Sea Squirt

Carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum) has been detected in Western Australia (WA) for the first time.

Carpet sea squirt (CSS) is a highly invasive marine invertebrate animal that has the potential to impact oyster and mussel aquaculture, marine environments, dive tourism industries as well as increasing maintenance costs for commercial and recreational vessels. 

A level 2 incident was declared on 25 January 2023 in response to the detection of CSS in WA and a Quarantine Area Notice was issued on 17 March 2023.  Learn more...

National Livestock Standstill for Foot-and-Mouth Disease:

Cost-Benefit Analysis 

According to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in April 2023:

A national livestock standstill (NLSS) is a critical strategy in responding to the diagnosis or suspicion of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Rapidly implementing movement controls gives the best chance of optimising response options across the country, by limiting the spread of a disease once it is detected.

Learn more...

EUROPEAN  HOUSE  BORER

European house borer (EHB) Hylotrupes bajulus is a destructive pest of seasoned coniferous timber including pine, fir and spruce. If allowed to become established it can cause major structural damage to buildings.

The European house borer team at DPIRD works to contain the EHB pest within affected areas of Western Australia via surveillance and regulation.

Worried about foot and mouth or lumpy skin disease?

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development have an emergency disease hub with information on disease signs, preparedness activities and what happens in the event of an outbreak.