Biosecurity Hub

Overview

Welcome to the SAMAC Biosecurity Hub, your central resource for protecting the macadamia industry from biosecurity threats. This platform is designed to provide easy access to critical information, tools, and best practices to help growers, nurseries, and stakeholders stay informed and take action against emerging risks.

In this hub, you’ll find:

  • The SAMAC Biosecurity Risk Framework, outlining our coordinated approach to identifying and managing biosecurity threats.
  • Best Practice Guidelines, including detailed protocols for on-farm biosecurity and certified nursery tree quality.
  • The Biosecurity Species Watch List, highlighting current and potential pest and disease threats to macadamias.
  • Educational materials, such as identification guides, threat-specific pamphlets
  • Applicable legislation relating to biosecurity and regulated pests

Our goal is to support a resilient and proactive macadamia industry by ensuring that accurate, up-to-date biosecurity information is readily available to all. The Biosecurity Hub focuses solely on verified facts and scientific updates—opinions or debates are not included unless specifically requested for legal or regulatory purposes.

Resources

Risk Framework

The aim of the SAMAC Biosecurity Risk Framework is to identify, assess and mitigate risks to macadamia production and the profitability of growers due to the introduction of pests and diseases into production areas. This framework also outlines the response and sequence of events if a new biosecurity threat is identified.

Species List

Below is the current list of key biosecurity threats to the South African macadamia industry. While not exhaustive, it highlights priority species across four categories (Tables 1 – 4) based on their presence in South Africa and their association with macadamias.


Best Practices

Below are links to best practices that outline practical on-farm biosecurity measures and provide guidelines for ensuring nursery tree quality when purchasing macadamias. These resources aim to support growers in reducing pest and disease risks across the value chain.


Legislation

Below are the key pieces of legislation relevant to biosecurity in the macadamia industry. The Agricultural Pests Act (Act 36 of 1983) provides measures to prevent and control agricultural pests in South Africa, while the Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Act (Act 35 of 2024) governs the management of plant health risks, including the import and export of plant material, in line with international phytosanitary standards.

PSHB

MFC

wEBINAR

Below are the resources from the 2025 biosecurity webinar, including the presentation slides and a full recording of the session for those who were unable to attend or wish to revisit the material.

Top 5 Biosecurity Threats

Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer
Macadamia Felted Coccid
Mosquito
Bug
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Macadamia Seed Weevil