South’s ‘going slow on pests’

THE agribusiness lobby has accused Brisbane of going slow and not committing to the management of invasive species that continue to threaten the livelihoods of farmers.

The threat of African swine fever at the Far North’s doorstep and outbreaks of prickly acacia in the Gulf has triggered a heightened a sense of urgency.

AgForce has called on the State Government to commit to pest species eradication.

The government released its Invasive Pest Plants and Animals Strategy 2019 – 2024 last week after sitting on it for more than six months, according to AgForce.

AgForce’s representative on QIPAC, Ivan Naggs, said he was pleased the strategy had finally been released, but was disappointed that the “cogs had turned so slowly”.

“We are already at the end of the first year of the strategy and it has only just been released – and only after six months of badgering – putting pressure on QIPAC to implement and assess the plan,” Mr Naggs said.

“I just don’t think the Government has an appreciation of how critical biosecurity is to our industry or how quickly these issues move.

“Another issue which needs urgent resolution is naming the industry and community representatives on the Biosecurity Queensland Ministerial Advisory Committee, even though nominations closed way back in May.”

Mr Naggs said the first task for QIPAC could be to encourage a nil-tenure approach to managing strategic zones of feral pigs, if considered a required step to prevent an African swine fever outbreak.

“Feral pigs are potential vectors of this virus which could destroy our domestic pig industry,” he said.