Department of Agriculture plant pathologist Manisha Shankar said the warning followed the detection of a new pathotype of striped rust in WA in 2002, thought to have been introduced on a traveller’s clothing.

Dr Shankar said it was a risk to walk through paddocks and crops when visiting a northern hemisphere country, and unknowingly have spores and weed seeds adhere to clothing or shoes.

“In regard to rust spores, there are no concerns if you return to Western Australia more than five days after your visit to a farm in another country,” Dr Shankar said.

“The various strains of rust spores which concern us would not survive beyond five days where the spores are attached to clothing.

“If growers are returning within five days of being on a cropping farm, we would recommend washing all clothing worn on an overseas farm and disinfecting shoes. If the clothes are not important they would be best left behind, but in most cases this is probably not practicable.”

On returning to Western Australia, all travelers are required to report any visits to overseas farms to the Australian quarantine and customs staff at the airport.

More information about quarantine for travellers coming into Australia is at the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website www.aqis.gov.au.

The brochure ‘What can’t I take into Australia’ is found on the AQIS home page under ‘Quick Links’.