The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has launched a strategy to tackle invasive plants and animals.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner said the Queensland Invasive Plants and Animals Strategy 2018-2023 aimed to reduce the impact of the pests and stop new exotic species from entering the State.
“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.
He said that recently the Department had been dealing with fire ants in South East Queensland, electric ants in Far North Queensland, while wild dogs continued 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,” Mr Furner said.
“Shared responsibility is a legal requirement through the general biosecurity obligation under the Biosecurity Act 2014.”
He said helping out could 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.
The strategy was developed by the Queensland Invasive Plant and Animals Committee (QIPAC).
“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,” Mr Furner said.
“QIPAC will lead facilitate, monitor and report on priorities under the strategy.”
The 21-page strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
