‘Downright dangerous’: National body responds to claims officers ‘planted fire ants’

The national body tasked to carry out the eradication of fire ants in Australia has responded to claims officers were arrested for planting fire ants.

In a statement on Friday, the National Fire Ant Eradication Program called the allegations “false and unfounded”.

“Our team works tirelessly to protect our community from fire ants,” they said.

Fire ants pose a huge threat to outdoor living, tourism, agriculture and native ecosystems.Credit: Barry Rice/Supplied

“Moving fire ants is illegal, and such reckless claims only serve to spread misinformation and disinformation about the important work we are doing.”

Executive program director Marni Manning called the claims “downright dangerous” and questioned the motive behind them.

“These allegations are yet another attempt by certain parties to interfere with our world-leading fire ant eradication program and jeopardise national eradication efforts,” Manning said.

“Fire ants will have devastating impacts on human and animal health, our environment, economy, and outdoor way of life.

“I urge the community to verify the validity and credibility of information – not everything online or in the media is true.”

Further information about the allegations, including where it is said to have occurred, has not been provided but the program has been contacted for more detail.

Fire ants, a highly invasive environmental pest native to South America, first arrived in Australia in 2001 via international shipping in Brisbane.

The control of the pest is the responsibility of state and federal agriculture ministers. A senate inquiry held earlier this year heard of widespread shortcomings in Australia’s eradication program and recommended an independent review of the program and of funding allocated to fighting fire ants.

The Invasive Species Council said if allowed to spread, fire ants will burden our health system with 650,000 extra medical appointments and more than $2 billion in economic costs each year.

But enforcing compliancy and mandatory treatment for fire ants has been met with resistance in parts of the country, with concerns raised about the effects of poisons used and individual rights to refuse access to properties.

Earlier this month, the organisation issued a statement emphasising the safety of fire ant eradication treatments for pollinators after a concerned resident reported a deceased hive containing material they believed to be from the program’s eradication treatment product.

According to the program, honey and wax from the hive was tested and no detectable residue of treatment product was found.

Fire ant eradication treatment consists of small pieces of corn grit soaked in soybean oil, with a low concentration of an insect growth regulator (IGR), either pyriproxyfen or S-methoprene. The Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard) Instrument does not classify these as poisons.

However, some Queensland landholders have become increasingly resistant to the spread of fire ant baits on their properties, with a number erecting signs on gates and fences warning: “We do not consent to the poisoning of us, our properties, pets, livestock, wildlife and ecosystems”.

In October, the program reported an increase in physical and psychological harassment and intimidation of treatment teams, with police engaged to join eradication officers and gain access to some properties.

Property owners have no legal right to refuse access to eradication officers and landholders could be fined more than $14,000 for failing to comply.

“Our staff, like everyone, have the right to feel safe while doing their jobs,” Manning said.

“We remain committed to our mission of eradicating this invasive species by 2032 and stand by the integrity of our efforts to protect Australia.”