Published Sunday, 17 June, 2007 at 01:00 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
NEW BIOSECURITY GROUP PROTECTING BOWEN ICON
Officers from the new Biosecurity Queensland group are watching over the iconic Bowen mango to protect it from a long list of threats and it’s all in the name of ensuring the heavenly fruit is available this summer.
Biosecurity Queensland, a specialist business group of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, was launched in March 2007, armed with more expertise, experience and a mandate to provide a more integrated approach to pest, disease and weed management.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said Biosecurity Queensland officers were working together to protect “the best mangoes in the world” from pests and diseases that could damage or wipe out a crop.
“Biosecurity Queensland staff are working together up and down the state, not only to protect the iconic mango - worth $80 million to the Queensland economy - but also to protect the full range of produce grown in Queensland,” Mr Mulherin said.
“There’s a tremendous amount of work happening behind the scenes to safeguard Queensland primary industries, especially through the new integrated approach now in with the establishment of Biosecurity Queensland,” he said.
“DPI&F is now armed with the additional expertise from Natural Resources and Water, so while Biosecurity Queensland land protection officers are working to protect mangoes and other fruit from threatening weeds such as the Mikania Vine - a Class 1 declared plant, which chokes and smothers plants in areas which it has colonised - other officers are also busy performing their roles.
“Through ongoing surveillance programs, such as the national fruit fly trapping program, Biosecurity Queensland officers check to ensure endemic pests and diseases have not spread and there are no new pest threats affecting the industry,” he said.
“Biosecurity Queensland staff also survey key mango production areas for red banded mango caterpillar, mango leafhopper and other mango pests.
“Once mangos are picked, strict movement controls and DPI&Fs' certification services provide assurance that Queensland mangoes are free from pests and diseases of concern to our interstate markets. Other Biosecurity Queensland officers conduct random testing for chemical residues.
“There’s a lot going on, and its all part of the grand plan to protect primary industries,” he said.
Mr Mulherin said the work to protect Queensland’s mangoes explained the resources now in place with the new Biosecurity agency.
“With new capabilities and expertise, we are able to address our protection and management work with a more collaborative, integrated approach – and this will only get better as the specialist agency matures,” he said.
“Biosecurity Queensland staff are working together with a similar purpose - looking for new ways and new science to keep watch over industries like Queensland mangoes,” he said
Biosecurity Queensland is responsible for leading animal and plant biosecurity, animal welfare, invasive pests and animals, chemical use and food safety, biosecurity science and fire ants.
For more information about the new Biosecurity Queensland, visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
Media: David Potter 0409 305662
Biosecurity Queensland, a specialist business group of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, was launched in March 2007, armed with more expertise, experience and a mandate to provide a more integrated approach to pest, disease and weed management.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said Biosecurity Queensland officers were working together to protect “the best mangoes in the world” from pests and diseases that could damage or wipe out a crop.
“Biosecurity Queensland staff are working together up and down the state, not only to protect the iconic mango - worth $80 million to the Queensland economy - but also to protect the full range of produce grown in Queensland,” Mr Mulherin said.
“There’s a tremendous amount of work happening behind the scenes to safeguard Queensland primary industries, especially through the new integrated approach now in with the establishment of Biosecurity Queensland,” he said.
“DPI&F is now armed with the additional expertise from Natural Resources and Water, so while Biosecurity Queensland land protection officers are working to protect mangoes and other fruit from threatening weeds such as the Mikania Vine - a Class 1 declared plant, which chokes and smothers plants in areas which it has colonised - other officers are also busy performing their roles.
“Through ongoing surveillance programs, such as the national fruit fly trapping program, Biosecurity Queensland officers check to ensure endemic pests and diseases have not spread and there are no new pest threats affecting the industry,” he said.
“Biosecurity Queensland staff also survey key mango production areas for red banded mango caterpillar, mango leafhopper and other mango pests.
“Once mangos are picked, strict movement controls and DPI&Fs' certification services provide assurance that Queensland mangoes are free from pests and diseases of concern to our interstate markets. Other Biosecurity Queensland officers conduct random testing for chemical residues.
“There’s a lot going on, and its all part of the grand plan to protect primary industries,” he said.
Mr Mulherin said the work to protect Queensland’s mangoes explained the resources now in place with the new Biosecurity agency.
“With new capabilities and expertise, we are able to address our protection and management work with a more collaborative, integrated approach – and this will only get better as the specialist agency matures,” he said.
“Biosecurity Queensland staff are working together with a similar purpose - looking for new ways and new science to keep watch over industries like Queensland mangoes,” he said
Biosecurity Queensland is responsible for leading animal and plant biosecurity, animal welfare, invasive pests and animals, chemical use and food safety, biosecurity science and fire ants.
For more information about the new Biosecurity Queensland, visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
Media: David Potter 0409 305662