Myrtle Rust Alert!

Myrtle rust has been detected in Northland, Taranaki and Waikato. MPI has instigated an incursion response.

It is a serious fungal disease that affects plants in the myrtle family, which includes pohutukawa and manuka.

Myrtle rust is readily spread by wind and can be transported on clothing, vehicles and equipment.

Plant producers and our industry partners have an essential part to play in being on the lookout for symptoms and early reporting to MPI.

This is exemplified by the Kerikeri nursery owner who made the report to MPI. He has done exactly the right thing and is applauded for making such a prompt notification. He has the full support of the industry.

NZPPI Guidance

NZPPI Myrtle Rust Risk Management Protocolss

The NZPPI Myrtle Rust Risk Management Protocols have been developed for use by plant producers, production nurseries and garden retailers.

They provide a framework of supply chain biosecurity protocols for industry members to ensure the risk of our businesses becoming infected or distributing myrtle rust is managed to the best of our ability.

By following the NZPPI protocols industry members will be meeting the requirements set out in MPI’s legal direction, and NZPPI has worked with MPI to confirm this.

They comprise:

• Nursery Management Declaration (Word | PDF) – nursery protocol signoff to accompany plant shipments
• Nursery Management Protocol – plant producer and nursery procedures to mitigate nursery-based risk
• Plant Transport Protocol – procedures to minimise risk of myrtle rust being spread through plant transport
• Garden Retail & Landscaper Guidance – procedures for businesses who receive Myrtaceae plants from nurseries
• Plant Inspection Protocol - what to look for and how
• Myrtle Rust Fungicide Treatments – for the control of myrtle rust

Other materials

• Myrtle Rust photos
• Myrtle Rust Pest fact sheet
• Myrtle Rust Identification Guide
• NZPPI Key Messages
• NZPPI briefing #1 - 4 May 2017
• NZPPI briefing #2 - 6 May 2017
• NZPPI briefing #3 - 11 May 2017
• NZPPI briefing - 11 May 2017 - Plant movement controls for high risk zones
• NZPPI briefing - 17 May 2017 - Myrtle rust in Taranaki

Myrtle Rust Links

• Latest MPI Situation Update - Numbers, locations, species and what's happening
   
• MPI Support for Industry Response
  12 May 2017
  MPI has today thanked NZPPI for the development of the approved industry myrtle rust protocols. The protocols help manage risk associated with nursery businesses, while enabling them to continue business and lessen the impacts on the local economy ... read the joint NZPPI and MPI media release
   
• MPI's Media Releases
• MPI's webpage & myrtle rust fact sheet
• NZ Government Myrtle Rust media release - 4 May 2017
• Myrtaceae taxa in NZ: Exotic and Native - Source: MPI, 12 May 2017
• Myrtaceae Genera - Wikipedia
• The threat of myrtle rust to New Zealand and how science is contributing to our preparedness - A presentation to the NZPPI Science & Innovation Summit 4 May ... prepared before Kerikeri incursion was announced
• Australian Nursery Industry Myrtle Rust Management Plan (Version 3) – 2013
• Myrtle Rust and the New Zealand Forest Industry – An examination commissioned by the Forest Owners Association of the biosecurity implications for New Zealand and the forest industry.

Myrtle rust on pohutukawa in Kerikeri

Myrtle rust on Lophomyrtus in Waitara

If you think you have seen this fungus call MPI’s Exotic Pests and Diseases hotline - 0800 80 99 66.
Take a photo - do not attempt to touch or collect samples as this may increase the spread of this disease.