Giant African snails: A biosecurity threat too big to ignore for Australian agriculture

For fruit and veggie growers, it is the stuff of nightmares. Key points: The fast-breeding world's largest land snail, the giant African snail, is considered one of the world's top invasive species It can reach up to 20 centimetres in length and consume entire plants — posing a threat to native species Previous detections of the species in Australia have been eradicated but Ausveg biosecurity officers are warning Australian farmers that it is a threat they need to be aware of The giant African snail is the world's largest land snail. For biosecurity officers in Australia, the threat this snail poses to agriculture is too big to ignore — and at farmer meetings across the nation, Ausveg has been raising awareness of the risk. Threat to agriculture The giant African snail is considered one of the world's top invasive species and with its voracious appetite has wreaked havoc on farmers as it has spread across various continents. "Giant African snails can infect people with bacteria and parasites and they can also transmit disease if handled with bare hands."