R&D update: Bolstered biosecurity needed to beat plant pests
10 October 2025
10 October 2025
Every new nursery pest costs money, time and productivity. From reworking stock and increasing chemical use to disrupted trade, the impact can hit growers hard – and fast.
In just six months, more than a dozen new pest and disease threats have been detected across Australia. From banana freckle in the Northern Territory to fire ants in New South Wales and Queensland, the message is clear: biosecurity is one of the biggest risks facing nurseries today.
John McDonald, Greenlife Industry Australia’s Director of RDE and Biosecurity, says the pressure on Australia’s plant biosecurity system is greater than ever.
“Rising trade, tourism and a changing climate are combining to create unprecedented pressure on our borders and production systems,” John said.
“Each incursion can disrupt production, restrict trade and threaten plant health. That’s why growers must stay alert and use levy-funded resources to strengthen on-farm pest and disease management.”
Why it matters to you
Every new pest incursion can:
- Increase costs through extra inputs and crop losses
- Reduce productivity by forcing rework or slowing dispatch
- Impact profitability if plants don’t make it to market
What you can do
Your levy is already funding tools and support to help you protect your business:
- Apply Australian Plant Production Standard (APPS) best practice standards: https://greenlifeindustry.org.au/accreditation
- Connect with a levy-funded Extension Officer for tailored advice: https://greenlifeindustry.org.au/talk-to-an-expert
- Stay across real-time alerts, updates and resources
With threats emerging across every state, early detection and rapid response is your best defence. When every business plays its part, the industry is stronger.
If you see something unusual in your nursery — plants, pests or symptoms — report it immediately.
You can access support via:
- Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881
- Pest ID Tool
Your levy has funded this work to protect your plants and your profits.
For more information, visit https://greenlifeindustry.org.au/news/media-release-bolstered-biosecurity
Wake-up call: recent incursions (February to August 2025)
- Banana freckle (NT)
- Polyphagous shot hole borer (WA)
- Jack Beardsley mealybug (Far North QLD)
- Chrysanthemum lace bug (SE QLD)
- Tomato potato psyllid (VIC)
- Red Imported Fire Ants (NSW & QLD)
- Granulate ambrosia beetle (NSW)
- Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (SA)
- Jasmine whitefly (N QLD & NT)
- Ghost snail (SE QLD)
- Black-spotted bamboo aphid (NSW & VIC)
- Potato mop-top virus (TAS)
- Plains cupid butterfly (Torres Strait & Cape York)
Your levy has funded this update.
Wondering what else your levy funds? Explore other levy stories today: https://greenlifeindustry.org.au/your-levy-at-work
