How can I help? When you’re overseas: • �wherever�possible,�don’t�visit�crops�—�contact�with�
growing�crops�greatly�increases�the�risk�of�contaminating� footwear�or�clothing;�
• �if�you�are�visiting�crops,�wear�clothes�and�footwear�you� can�discard�before�you�return�to�Australia;
• �wash�or�dry�clean�all�the�clothing�you�took�overseas�as� soon�as�you�return,�regardless�of�whether�you�have�� visited�a�crop;
• �thoroughly�disinfect�or�wash�footwear�with�a�soapy�cloth,� removing�all�signs�of�dust�or�dirt;�and
• �materials�that�cannot�be�washed�should�be�kept�away� from�agricultural,�horticultural�or�forestry�regions�for�at� least�four�weeks.
If you have visitors from overseas: • �wherever�possible,�don’t�let�them�have�contact�with�crops,��
contact�with�growing�crops�greatly�increases�the�risk�of� transferring�rust�to�your�crop�from�contaminated�footwear� or�clothing�not�visible�to�the�naked�eye;�and
• �if�your�guests�are�visiting�farms,�provide�them�with�clean� clothes�and�footwear�to�use�during�their�visit.�
Travellers from one region of Australian to another: • �take�the�same�precautions�as�above�to�minimise�the�
movement�of�rusts�and�rust�strains.
Remember: You�MUST�report�visits�to�farms�in�countries�outside�Australia� on�your�Incoming�Passenger�Card�when�you�return.�This�is� a�legal�requirement�and�failing�to�complete�your�Passenger� Card�correctly�could�lead�to�prosecution�and�a�criminal� record.
Rust diseases of grain crops
Where can I get more information? Visit the travel biosecurity page at www.grdc.com.au/biosecuritylinks See�these�information�resources: • �GRDC�biosecurity�research� • �AQIS�website�brochure�‘What I can’t take into Australia?’ • �DAFWA�website�brochure�‘Australian Grains Industry
– Farm Biosecurity Plan’ AcknoWledgements the grains Research and development corporation thanks the department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, the University of sydney Plant Breeding Institute, nsW department of Primary Industries, Plant Health Australia, cRc national Plant Biosecurity and AQIs for their help with photographs and information
What can Australian travellers do?
Rust spore contamination on clothing and boots can appear as dust or dirt (soURce: dAFWA / BRAd collIs)
this exotic rust of lupins has not occured in Australia (soURce: dAFWA)
Important information on rusts What’s the problem? Rusts�are�microscopic�fungi�that�are�among�the�world’s� most�destructive�plant�diseases.�Rusts�attack�grain�crops� —�especially�cereals�(wheat,�barley,�oats)�and�legumes�(beans,� peas,�lupins)�—�greatly�reducing�yield. Rust�pathogens�that�haven’t�been�recorded�in�Australia�could� devastate�our�grains�industries�if�they�found�their�way�into� production�zones.��Many�of�our�crop�varieties�are�susceptible�to� exotic�rusts.
What are the symptoms? Rust�infections�usually�appear�as�brown,�orange,�yellow�or� white�spots.��Infected�plants�produce�large�amounts�of�powdery� spores�that�can�hitch-hike�on�travellers’�clothing�or�footwear.
How do rusts move? Rust�spores�can�move�on�wind�currents,�but�they’re�also� easily�carried�on�clothing,�footwear�or�equipment.�Growth�in� international�air�travel�has�significantly�increased�the�chance�of� inadvertently�introducing�exotic�rusts�to�Australia.��
How serious is the biosecurity risk? All�grain�crops�are�at�risk�from�exotic�rust�strains.�That�means� all�agriculturalists�(including�producers,�agricultural�scientists� and�agri-business�persons)�need�to�be�aware�of�the�risks. The�University�of�Sydney’s�Australian�Cereal�Rust�Control� Program�monitors�rusts�in�Australia’s�wheat,�barely�and�oat� crops. The�stripe�rust�incursion�in�2002�is�estimated�to�have�added� additional�control�costs�of�$40-90�million�per�annum�for� Australian�wheat�growers.
trousers showing severe contamination from walking through a stripe rust affected crop. thoroughly launder clothes after travel
as rust contamination may be microscopic and difficult to see. (soURce: University of sydney, nsW department of Primary Industries / dAFWA)
Stripe rust
Stem rust
Leaf rust
1925
1969
2002 1979
1981
1984
1996
2004
Initial detection points of exotic wheat rust incursions
stem rust in wheat. (soURce: BRAd collIs)