There is no better way to while away a weekend than a geocaching road trip. You pack essential geocaching supplies, eat bad takeaway and maybe throw in an apple for sustenance whilst you hunt for the next GZ. But have you stopped to think about where you have taken that apple on this trip? Did you go into a different region? Did you cross a state border? Did you pass through an apple growing area?
That apple sitting in the center console of the car may contain an insect or a disease and driving it around the country may accidentally carry that pest into a new area. Suddenly the signs on the highway asking you to dump your fruit maybe don't seem like such a bad idea. A quick fruit feast or a visit to the fruit bins before passing into the next region may just stop a serious biosecurity threat from being accidentally introduced.
Did you know there were restrictions on what food you can take in to/out of NSW? Restrictions also apply to plants, soil, beekeeping equipment and some animals. Below is a quick guide to some of the food protection zones in NSW.
Some high priority threats include Fruit Fly, Phylloxera (affects grape vines), Potato cyst nematode, Red Imported Fire Ant and Electric Ant, exotic snails and a number of plant disease such as Myrtle Rust. Pests and weeds can accidentally hitch a ride in equipment especially camping gear, on and inside food, on plants including cut flowers and pot plants, in mud and on vehicles.
There are a number of restrictions that differ between different states. Check out Quarantine Domestic website onwww.quarantinedomestic.gov.au where you can download a travelers guide for all of Australia.
The map below shows the Fruit Fly exclusion zone located along the NSW/Vic border. It's a key growing area for citrus, grape and stone fruit crops. The exclusion zone has been established to stop the introduction of Fruit Fly. It doesn't occur in this area yet and there are strict controls of the movement of fresh produce into this area. By keeping Fruit Fly out the fruit from these farms is protected allowing us to enjoy fresh healthy fruit. Were it to be introduced it would have a serious impact on the ability of this region to produce quality fruit, costs for farmers would decrease whilst yields decreased, costs for fresh fruit would skyrocket, local jobs would be affected and we would likely lose access to multi-million dollar markets.
Do not take fruit, vegetables, plants or flowers across State and quarantine borders and check equipment and vehicles before you travel. Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and everyone can participate in protecting our primary industries.
This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the Biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. These geocaches are designed to provide information to the geocaching public in an effort to protect the environment and primary industries of NSW.
Be familiar with biosecurity threats. If you find suspicious pests or symptoms on your plants you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 where trained specialists can determine if indeed it is a biosecurity threat. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases.
Further information on this and other Biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au