Red fire ant: Calls for biosecurity transparency and funding

Should the public be told if an invasive pest is detected? One industry leader weighs in on the issue.

The Victorian government is being urged to commit more funds to tackle biosecurity risks, such as Varroa mite and red imported fire ant.

It comes as details about a red imported fire ant detection in Melbourne earlier this year comes to light, leading some industry leaders to call for more communication when significant pests are detected prior to becoming an incursion.

Invasive Species Council advocacy manager Reece Pianta said the impact of invasive species on Australian agriculture “are huge”, with communication between industry and government essential.

“With fire ants specifically, and other invasive species we can see, most of those detections are coming from members of the community,” Mr Pianta said.

“The more transparency we have around detections, the more likely we are going to have our community in on the surveillance. People can only look for the stuff they are expecting to see.”

The invasive imported red fire ant has been detected in Northern NSW for the first time.

A single red imported fire ant was detected at a plant nursery in Melbourne’s north on February 23 this year, with a single suspect wingless ant collected and sent for identification.

It is understood industry bodies were not notified of the detection, as fire ant is not considered an emergency plant pest under the emergency plant pest response deed, with no further fire ants identified.

The deed also states confidentiality is key when tackling an incursion, with confidentiality designed to protect the identity of individuals affected, commercial in confidence information, and market access.

The Weekly Times understands Agriculture Victoria only publicises biosecurity incidents when there is a biosecurity or health benefit from doing so, including where the community can assist in addressing risks.

Mr Pianta said the detection of a single fire ant was a sign “the system works”.

“Money is desperately needed, right now,” Mr Pianta said. “We would like Victoria to step up and contribute, and join the ACT, Queensland, NSW and the Commonwealth government.”

Biosecurity Victoria executive director Katherine Clift said the state had invested almost $7 million as part of an overall $47.9 million contribution to expand the national eradication program.

“Red imported fire ants are not known to be present in Victoria and we’re continuously working to keep it that way,” Ms Clift said.