QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT PAYMENT FOR SMUT REMOVAL

The immediate destruction of the blocks of sugarcane infested with smut in the Bundaberg-Isis region will help ensure the disease is contained while growers switch to smut resistant varieties, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said today.

“To assist growers in achieving this outcome, the Queensland Government has agreed to pay them $2000 for each hectare that’s ploughed out and removed,” Mr Mulherin said.

“There are currently 380 hectares of known infected blocks, but surveillance crews are continuing to search for more.

“The infected blocks represent approximately 1 percent of the current planted area of this region.

“It’s important that the surveillance work continues because the Queensland Government is determined to contain the disease and assist the local industry to recover from this incursion.”

Mr Mulherin said the Government would pay growers to plough out all the blocks known to have smut infestation for the 2006 harvest.

“This is Stage 1 of our aggressive campaign to reduce the spore load and contain the disease,” he said.

“Our aim is to have the plough out and removal from these blocks completed by November 30.

“We will continue to work closely with industry to achieve this target.”

Mr Mulherin said he was disappointed that the Commonwealth had still not given any indication that they would provide financial support towards addressing sugarcane smut, despite the national implications if the disease spread.

“The Queensland Government commitment to assisting the sugarcane industry is rock solid,” Mr Mulherin said.

“The same cannot be said for the Commonwealth Government.”

Media:David Potter 32396530