Published Thursday, 15 February, 2007 at 05:06 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
WORKING TO PREVENT CROP SABOTAGE
Consultation was continuing with a number of national agencies, including the Food Chain Assurance Advisory Committee, to reduce the potential for crop sabotage, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said today.
Mr Mulherin was speaking at an Interagency Security Forum at the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries’ headquarters at Bowen.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with other departments and agencies, including the Queensland Police Services to safeguard primary industries,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“DPI&F is currently working with the likes of the National Food Chain Assurance Advisory Committee and the Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia Ltd on issues such as the need to have security of water transport facilities as well as AgVet chemicals.’’
Last year in the Bowen region, six properties were caught up in a case of crop poisoning with some $1 million in damage to tomatoes, capsicums, watermelons, and beans.
There was evidence of herbicide contamination of water in a contractor’s tanker.
The QPS was assisted in its investigation by DPI&F and Qld Health staff.
“A key message today was the necessity to maintain our clean, green image,’’ Mr Mulherin said, “and if that means boosting security in some areas then that is what will be done.
“Proposals such as a Rural Watch information service and better security for irrigation systems, which might be as simple as reducing the number of outlets for easier monitoring, were raised at the forum. ‘’
Mr Mulherin said a working group, made up of agencies including DPI&F, QPS and the Bowen District Growers Association, would collaborate on a booklet or brochure on tips to safeguard their crops.
He said DPI&F would continue to working at the national level.
“Another way in which DPI&F is safeguarding our multi-billion dollar primary industries is through the current national review of food regulations.
“For instance while there are few human health concerns with glycophosphate (a herbicide), if concentrated in fruit and vegetables by contamination of water used to make up fertilizers or insecticides and vegetables, it could record higher than the Maximum Residue Level and therefore can not be sold, even if there are no health risks.
“When these laws were drawn up, malicious damage and bioterrorism were not considered,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“One option to prevent malicious damage by AgVet chemicals is to not use MRLs in chemical use legislations, which are based on good agricultural practice and instead request that Food Standards Australia and New Zealand do a specific risk assessment as an alternate process,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
Media: 32396530
Mr Mulherin was speaking at an Interagency Security Forum at the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries’ headquarters at Bowen.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with other departments and agencies, including the Queensland Police Services to safeguard primary industries,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“DPI&F is currently working with the likes of the National Food Chain Assurance Advisory Committee and the Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia Ltd on issues such as the need to have security of water transport facilities as well as AgVet chemicals.’’
Last year in the Bowen region, six properties were caught up in a case of crop poisoning with some $1 million in damage to tomatoes, capsicums, watermelons, and beans.
There was evidence of herbicide contamination of water in a contractor’s tanker.
The QPS was assisted in its investigation by DPI&F and Qld Health staff.
“A key message today was the necessity to maintain our clean, green image,’’ Mr Mulherin said, “and if that means boosting security in some areas then that is what will be done.
“Proposals such as a Rural Watch information service and better security for irrigation systems, which might be as simple as reducing the number of outlets for easier monitoring, were raised at the forum. ‘’
Mr Mulherin said a working group, made up of agencies including DPI&F, QPS and the Bowen District Growers Association, would collaborate on a booklet or brochure on tips to safeguard their crops.
He said DPI&F would continue to working at the national level.
“Another way in which DPI&F is safeguarding our multi-billion dollar primary industries is through the current national review of food regulations.
“For instance while there are few human health concerns with glycophosphate (a herbicide), if concentrated in fruit and vegetables by contamination of water used to make up fertilizers or insecticides and vegetables, it could record higher than the Maximum Residue Level and therefore can not be sold, even if there are no health risks.
“When these laws were drawn up, malicious damage and bioterrorism were not considered,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“One option to prevent malicious damage by AgVet chemicals is to not use MRLs in chemical use legislations, which are based on good agricultural practice and instead request that Food Standards Australia and New Zealand do a specific risk assessment as an alternate process,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
Media: 32396530