Just how important biosecurity is to the Australian grain industry was highlighted by the recent rejection of two shipments of Australian wheat by Pakistan, based on the claim it is infected with a serious grain disease, Karnal bunt.

Funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Plant Health Australia (PHA) is currently in the second year of a three year project to develop a National Grains Industry Biosecurity Plan, which is due for completion in 2005.

The Grains Industry Biosecurity Planning Process has identified Karnal bunt as the top potential disease threat to the Australian grains industry.

A number of measures are already in place to assist in a response to Karnal bunt, including a Karnal bunt standard commissioned by PHA and recently completed by NSW Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture Western Australia, with 15 diagnosticians now trained.