Farmers urged to prevent the spread of lupin disease

“We need to be proactive to keep this disease out of NSW.”Infected seeds are the main source of the spread of Lupin anthracnose but it can also be spread through infected stubble by rain splash, as well as movement of spores by contaminated machinery, vehicles, people, animals and fodder between lupin crops and cropping areas.All lupin material grown in Western Australia and South Australia is prohibited to enter NSW unless it meets strict permit conditions in which lupin grain has been treated.Mr Madden said it was the NSW importer's responsibility to comply with import conditions.“Growers purchasing fodder from Western Australia and South Australia should request a commodity vendor declaration from the vendor declaring that the fodder is free of lupin material,” he said.Any suspect cases of Lupin anthracnose must be reported within one working day and notifiable plant diseases can be reported by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.For questions about import conditions, or if you suspect any non-compliance with fodder import permits or any other biosecurity issue, phone NSW DPI on 1800 680 244 or email: biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au