Development of contingency plans for use against exotic pests and diseases of trees and timber

Summary

Responses by quarantine and forestry authorities to the inadvertent introduction to Australia of seven economically important pests and pathogens of forest trees, or forest products, from the time of introduction to the present are described. Eradication was achieved only in the case of European house borer (Hylotrupes bajulus). but not for West Indian drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis), five-spined bark beetle (Ips grandicollis). Sirex wood wasp (Sirex noctilio), poplar rusts (Melampsora medusae and M. larici-populina) and Dothistroma needle blight (Dothistroma septospora). It has not been possible to quantify the economic cost of eradication attempts, or of control measures including research, for any of the case histories presented. It is argued that the Australian Agricultural Health and Quarantine Service should be actively involved in control campaigns until effective pest or disease management strategies have been developed.