What is an exotic and quarantinable plant disease?

Plant diseases that, if spread unchecked, could cause devastation to Australia's bird and livestock industry.

Causes of exotic and quarantinable plant disease

• Causes have biological explanations.
• Causes of spread are through contaminated plants or plant products from overseas or, with imported plants, a breakdown in quarantine processes, a deliberate avoidance of quarantine processes, or the re-emergence of a plant disease which has lain dormant in Australia for some time.

Likely impact of exotic and quarantinable plant disease

• Diseases can spread quickly.
• An outbreak of could rapidly turn into a regional epidemic, given the movement of people from farm to farm.
• Australia's horticultural industry is worth about billions of dollars each year.
• Any exotic and quarantinable plant disease outbreak is potentially disastrous for the Australian economy, causing the loss of billions of dollars in trade and employment, and damaging Australia's reputation for having one of the most disease-free horticultural industries in the world.

For more information on the types of exotic and quarantinable plant disease

Plant Health Australia

Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

Department of Primary Industries & Resources SA

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)