Summary Report on the Australian Workshop
on Karnal bunt of Wheat
Canberra, July 25, 1996

Introduction

The Australian Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) sponsored a workshop to discuss Karnal bunt of wheat. About 40 people from government, universities, farmer organizations and agribusiness attended the meeting in Canberra on July 25, 1996. The Workshop aimed to determine the need and priority for contingency planning for Karnal bunt.

Presentations by Sharon Singh, Bill Magee and Neil Andrews dealt with background information on KB. These included its biology, current quarantine regulations and Australian response to the USA finding of KB, and the trade impacts of the disease. Current Australian regulations virtually prohibit the import of wheat grain, except for small quantities for use by plant breeders. Following the US outbreak, Australia acted on April 24 to temporarily suspend imports of bulk commodities (including fertilizers and stockfeed meals) and high risk farm machinery from the USA. Since the imposition of the ban, the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) has assessed individual shipments of bulk commodities on a case-by-case basis. This has enabled trade in fertilizer and processed stockfeed meals to continue.

The importation of high risk farm machinery from USA such as headers and seed cleaning equipment remains suspended due to the difficulties in inspecting and effectively cleaning such equipment. AQIS quarantine officers are paying close attention to other seed imports from the USA such as ryegrass and a nil tolerance for wheat and triticale seed contamination applies. AQIS is awaiting the results of surveys in the USA to determine the extent of that outbreak before considering further action.

Generally, KB is a minor production problem in those parts of the world where it occurs, but it can be a major problem for wheat marketing. A widespread outbreak of KB in the wheat growing areas of Australia could lead to that wheat being rejected for export, depending on the reaction of buyers. Thus Australian efforts should be directed at preventing an incursion, then minimizing the marketing impact of KB if there is an incursion.

Surveillance and Detection in Australia (led by Mike Cole)

A low key approach was suggested to increase awareness of the symptoms of KB among farmers and grain handlers. This was regarded as preferable to an intensive monitoring of wheat deliveries. Particularly important is the development of a network of people capable of identifying the disease. These people should receive microscope slides with Tilletia indica teliospores. Some labs should be equipped with the PCR primers needed to positively identify the fungus.

Surveying is needed to: detect KB early and increase the chance of containment and eradication meet international obligations to inform trade destinations of our pest status maintain confidence of trade customers

However, full surveying is costly. It would be better to target areas of high risk, identified by: modelling to determine regions with greatest chance of supporting KB tracing farm equipment imported before the current ban was in place tracing fertilizers and other bulk commodities with a risk of contamination

Containment and Eradication of KB (led by Gordon Murray)
(see paper by Murray and Brennan in this symposium for a full discussion of this topic)

As the spread of KB increases due to delays in detection, a proportional decrease in ability to eradicate the disease occurs. If a regional outbreak is the likely stage of detection, eradication is unlikely and containment strategies would be the preferred option. Alertness and surveillance could be stepped up once KB is found to check its spread. Good public relations and awareness campaigns are an important aspect of containment.

Managing KB (led by Bob McIntosh)

Proactive plant breeding should begin immediately, with:

testing of Australian wheat varieties and lines for resistance initiation of a collaborative backcrossing program that aims to introgress available resistance to KB from CIMMYT material. This could take 12 to 18 years to complete assessment of exotic KB resistant wheats for possible direct release in Australia

Contingency Planning (led by Keith Alcock)

Planning falls into three areas based on timing. Initially an interim plan should be developed, in the remote case that KB is detected in the upcoming harvest. This will be done over the next 5 weeks. Medium term planning will consider the next 1 to 3 years, and will include screening of Australian cultivars for reaction to KB. Long term planning will see the management program in place, including the development of resistant cultivars.

Conclusions

In the unlikely event that Australia has an incursion of KB, despite the rigorous quarantine precautions that are in place, and it is deemed non-eradicable at the time of detection, it will be a quality and marketing problem rather than a major cause of production loss. However, individual producers in affected areas will be seriously disadvantaged. This emphasizes the need in the short and medium terms to focus on AustraliaÕs preparedness and capacity to minimize the impact on marketing arrangements.

Short Term Strategies:

The Australian Grains Research and Development Corporation to convene an industry forum to consider KB contingency planning. Proceed with an awareness campaign using a modified "Karnal Bunt Alert" pamphlet to be sent to key players such as grain handlers and growers. Develop nation-wide communication and public relations strategies to deal with a KB incursion in consultation with all stakeholders. Plant Health Committee of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management (SCARM) to make interim arrangements for a possible KB incursion by convening a KB Consultative Committee. Make available microscope slides for identification to selected laboratories to carry out necessary KB identification.

Medium Term Strategies

Conduct a comprehensive analysis to determine the impact of KB on Australia and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternative surveillance and operational systems aimed at combating KB. Develop comprehensive contingency plans to deal with KB including detailed surveillance/detection, containment/eradication, trade response, and communication/public relations issues. Consider the outcome of the SCARM Task Force review on Incursion Management in funding arrangements for a possible KB incursion. Conduct relevant research into deficiencies of knowledge on the epidemiology of KB and diagnostic techniques including PCR based molecular techniques. Carry out collaborative work with CIMMYT on resistance status of Australian cultivars.

Longer Term Strategies

Develop long-term plant breeding plans with the aim of releasing KB resistant wheat cultivars to industry over the next 8 to 20 years to be pursued by GRDC with all stakeholders.