1. Identify signs of unusual disease or a plant pest.
   • Signs of disease or a plant pest are identified.
   • Signs of disease or a plant pest are compared with own experience of common endemic disease or a plant pest in the species.
   • Where signs indicate an unusual disease or a plant pest, severity and extent of problem in the species are assessed.
   • Where signs indicate an unusual disease or a plant pest, immediate advice is sought from supervisors, professionals or appropriate authorities.
2. Report signs of unusual disease or a plant pest.
   • Signs of unusual disease or a plant pest are reported immediately to appropriate authorities.
   • Biosecurity measures are implemented according to enterprise biosecurity plans and instructions from appropriate authority.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required skills include

observing

recognising unusual disease or plant pest signs

Required knowledge includes

required procedures to follow in notifying appropriate authorities

where to access additional reliable information or personnel

Overview of assessment

Assessment for this unit of competency may be undertaken on or off the job The unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function such as RTEA Carry out field surveillance for a specific emergency disease or plant pest

Assessment for this unit of competency may be undertaken on or off the job. The unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function, such as RTE4409A Carry out field surveillance for a specific emergency disease or plant pest.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below

Assessment must confirm ones ability to

identify unusual disease or pest signs within ones own experience

notify appropriate authorities where appropriate

implement appropriate biosecurity measures

Context and specific resources for assessment

For valid assessment one must have opportunities to participate in a range of exercises case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to identify and report unusual disease or plant pest signs

The candidate must also have access to resources such as photographs of signs of emergency and endemic diseases and of plant pests

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in ones performance competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances cases and responsibilities and where possible over a number of assessment activities

The skills and knowledge required to identify and report unusual disease or plant pest signs must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts including the ability to deal with unplanned events For example this could include a range of diseases for a particular species or a variety of pests

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.