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Tasmania confirms second outbreak blueberry rust
Two years ago the deadly plant mould blueberry rust was detected in Tasmania for the first time. The disease has now struck again in north-west Tasmania, this time at Sulphur Creek.
Abc.net.au reports that the new outbreak was believed to have been detected on the Costas Farm and comes less than a month after the authority declared the region disease-free.
Acting general manager Rae Burrows said it was a devastating blow.
"This is really disappointing," she said.
"Industry, government, even the community were involved in getting this area back, so of course we're absolutely devastated."
The cause of the latest outbreak is not yet know. It is also unclear whether it has spread beyond the affected property.
Ms Burrows said it was "early days" and an "infection point" was still being established.
Biosecurity Tasmania is surveying other farms within a 20-kilometre radius of Costas.
It has also notified other plant health authorities and is calling on growers to be vigilant in reporting any signs of the disease.