HORTICULTURE farmers in the Adelaide Plains are being urged by the State Government to make biosecurity a priority on their properties.

Primary industries minister Tim Whetstone was in Two Wells last Tuesday to launch the State Government’s ‘Clean Your Farm’ initiative, which it is committing $20,000 towards in conjunction with AUSVEG SA.

Mr Whetstone said the project would ensure strong biosecurity credentials and market access in the region.

“This project will provide education and support with a particular focus on two key biosecurity risks – how equipment and people can spread disease, and information about pests in weeds,” he said.

“The project will include targeted on-farm and nursery site visits, the provision of tool disinfection kits, information resources, and industry workshops.

“Another focus of the project will be ensuring information is available for producers in the region with English as their second language.”

Growers will be encouraged to strengthen their biosecurity by establishing measures to control the movement of visitors and workers; cleaning and disinfecting tools, equipment and shoes;  controlling the movement of machinery; and creating a weed-free buffer zone around crops or glasshouses.

AUSVEG SA chief executive Jordan Brooke-Barnett said the program will support growers to adopt practices which better identify, prevent and address key biosecurity risks.

“The ultimate goal of the project is to heighten awareness of good biosecurity practice and to encourage growers to treat biosecurity planning in a similar manner to quality assurance, or risk  planning such as OH&S, or bushfire planning,” she said.

“In further support of the Clean Your Farm project, AUSVEG SA will introduce a new Biosecurity Award at our annual awards ceremony later this month.”