The ACT is enforcing mandatory restrictions on fire ants and fire ant carriers from affected areas of fire ant infestations in NSW and Queensland.
The government says import restrictions will be applied under the Plant Diseases Act 2002 to potential carriers of fire ants, such as organic mulch, soil and anything with soil on it, baled material like hay, potted plants, turf, agriculture or earth-moving machinery, and mining and quarrying materials.
The restriction applies to a five-kilometre radius of the fire ant nests recently found in South Murwillumbah and Wardell in north-eastern NSW. It also applies to areas in south-east Queensland declared as fire ant biosecurity zones including Redcliffe, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Gatton.
“Importers of these materials from affected areas will need to meet strict import conditions like using heat treatment or applying an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority-approved chemical for the control of fire ants and providing a plant health certificate,” the government says.
The restrictions will be reviewed as the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and NSW Department of Primary Industries continue to implement fire ant eradication efforts in their respective states.
The ACT has already committed $5 million towards the national effort to eradicate fire ants.
Who can be trusted?
In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.
If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.
Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.
Thank you,
Ian Meikle, editor
Leave a Reply