Fighting back against invasive pests

Collaboration and sharing the load are the key planks of a new strategy to tackle the invasive plants and animals that cause so much grief for Queensland.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the Queensland Invasive Plants and Animals Strategy 2018-2023 aimed to reduce the impacts of these pests and stop new exotic species from entering.

“Invasive animals are estimated to cost the Australian economy up to $1 billion annually in lost production and management,” Mr Furner said.

“The cost of invasive plants to the Queensland economy is around $600 million each year.

“Most recently we have been dealing with fire ants in south east Queensland, electric ants in far north Queensland and wild dogs continue to pose a huge problem for producers in western and southern Queensland.

“It’s vitally important that everyone, from land managers, industry, the community and all levels of government, take responsibility for eradicating invasive plants and animals.

“Shared responsibility is a legal requirement through the general biosecurity obligation under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

“This can be as simple as adopting good hygiene when entering or leaving properties to stop the spread of invasive plants, or eradicating feral animals on your land.”

There are seven guiding principles to the Strategy:

• integration, collaboration and coordination
• risk-based planning
• shared responsibility and commitment
• capability building through education and awareness
• prevention and early intervention
• best practice and research
• monitoring and evaluation.

“The strategy was developed by the Queensland Invasive Plant and Animals Committee (QIPAC),” Mr Furner said.

“This advisory committee, made up of representatives from farming groups, natural resource management groups and representatives from my Department and the Department of Environment and Sciences, consulted the public before finalising the Strategy.

“QIPAC will lead facilitate, monitor and report on priorities under the Strategy.”

You can see the strategy here www.daf.qld.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact:           Ron Goodman            0427 781 920