Illegal fungus release aimed to control blackberry in Australia
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In the early 1980s, someone illegally released the fungus Phragmidium violaceum in Australia to control blackberry plants.
Blackberry, originally brought from Britain in the 1840s, had spread and become a significant agricultural weed by the late 1880s. Official control efforts proved ineffective, prompting scientists to explore biological control methods like the fungus. Researchers at the Keith Turnbull Research Institute investigated blackberry rust as a potential control agent.
In 1983, scientist Eligio Bruzzese tested the fungus in France, believing it could slow blackberry growth without harming other plants. Before the institute could officially release the fungus, it appeared unexpectedly on blackberry plants in Victoria in February 1984. Evidence suggested someone had travelled to Europe, collected infected leaves, and spread the spores in Australia, a crime punishable by a substantial fine or imprisonment.
Although the perpetrator remains unknown, the incident prompted a review of biosecurity regulations and ultimately led to the legal release of blackberry rust strains in 1991. Despite the effort, the fungus has had only a limited impact on blackberry, and authorities continue to use other control methods. The plant remains a costly pest, but it also provides habitat and food for some native animals, leading some Australians to view it fondly.
