Growth of the Canned Fruit Production in Australia

The growth of the canned deciduous fruit business is primarily based in the Goulburn-Murray Valley region of Victoria, processing Australian apples, apricots, peaches, pears and plums at Shepparton. The canned fruits industry does not have a specific biosecurity plan or manual but has developed plans and manuals for the pome fruit (apple and pear) and stone fruit (summerfruit) industries with PHA and governments. The Canned Fruits Industry Council of Australia represents the biosecurity interests of canned fruit producers and the industry. They are members of Plant Health Australia and signatories to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. Their responsibilities include:

Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the canned fruit industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to assess current biosecurity practices and future biosecurity needs. Planning identifies procedures that can be put in place to reduce the chance of pests reaching our borders or minimise the impact if a pest incursion occurs.

An industry biosecurity plan and a farm manual which include the high priority pests of the growth and the canned fruit industry have not yet been developed. However pests of apricots, peaches, pears and plums are included in the industry plans and manuals prepared for Summerfruit Australia and APAL. The Industry Biosecurity Plan for the Summerfruit Industry and the Industry Biosecurity Plan for the Apple and Pear Industry outline key threats, risk mitigation plans, identification and categorisation of exotic pests and contingency plans.

Manuals usually contain an overview of biosecurity, fact sheets to identify the high priority pests of a crop, tips on crop management, and how to manage people, vehicles and equipment to minimise biosecurity risks. Manuals also contain a biosecurity self-assessment list, and templates to record pest surveillance records and visitors. Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the canned fruit industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to assess current biosecurity practices and future biosecurity needs.