The Western Australian community has the opportunity to join a month-long campaign to help protect our trees against unwanted pests and diseases.
The annual Biosecurity Blitz kicks off this week, with a special focus this year on reporting tree pests and diseases.
The TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz aims to protect WA's trees from an increasing number of exotic threats across our horticultural and forest industries, and urban and bushland environments.
The annual blitz forms part of broader work by the State Government to deliver a strong biosecurity system to support our agricultural industries, environment and lifestyle.
Visitors to the Perth Royal Show can sign up to the blitz and pick up tree pest and disease information at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development display, located at the Farm 2 Food Pavilion (in the Centenary Pavilion).
The blitz runs from 24 September to 24 October 2022. More information is available at www.agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity-blitz
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz presents a fantastic opportunity for citizen scientists and nature lovers to play their part in protecting the health of our trees.
"The State Government has been responding to two serious tree pest incursions - polyphagous shot-hole borer, first detected in East Fremantle in September last year, and a single detection of myrtle rust in a remote area of the East Kimberley in June 2022.
"Threats such as these highlight the importance of strong biosecurity in supporting our highly valued agricultural industries and environment.
"Every report made helps to increase the likelihood that serious pests and diseases will be detected early, giving us a better chance to eradicate or contain them, as well as protecting our State's export trade."
