❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the polyphagous shot-hole borer outbreak in Perth, inquiring about its severity, origin, eradication feasibility, budget, and potential impact on urban and native trees. The Minister provides answers regarding the timeline, budget, and impact.
AnsweredQoN 224Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
POLYPHAGOUS SHOT-HOLE
BORER
224. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the outbreak of
polyphagous shot-hole borer in Perth.
(1) Has the minister received a briefing
on the severity of the pest?
(2) When did the outbreak occur?
(3) How did the borer enter Western
Australia?
(4) What is the existing budget to
control and eradicate the borer?
(5) Can the borer feasibly be
eradicated in Western Australia?
(6) What percentage of urban trees
will be impacted by the borer?
(7) Will the borer impact on
banksia woodland and/or other native species across WA?
BORER
224. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the outbreak of
polyphagous shot-hole borer in Perth.
(1) Has the minister received a briefing
on the severity of the pest?
(2) When did the outbreak occur?
(3) How did the borer enter Western
Australia?
(4) What is the existing budget to
control and eradicate the borer?
(5) Can the borer feasibly be
eradicated in Western Australia?
(6) What percentage of urban trees
will be impacted by the borer?
(7) Will the borer impact on
banksia woodland and/or other native species across WA?
AnswerView source ↗
I note that the question was
redirected to me as the relevant minister in charge of biosecurity.
(1) Yes.
(2) It was first reported to the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development on 6 August 2021.
(3) It is unknown how and when the
pest entered Australia.
(4) This is a three-year,
cost-shared national response plan, with an associated budget of $41.29 million.
(5) The national
Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests, or CCEPP, has determined that
polyphagous shot-hole borer is feasible to eradicate.
(6) This is undetermined.
(7) Native trees
are not considered natural hosts of the polyphagous shot-hole borer and, to
date, have only been found to be infested when in close proximity to heavily
infested non-native hosts.
redirected to me as the relevant minister in charge of biosecurity.
(1) Yes.
(2) It was first reported to the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development on 6 August 2021.
(3) It is unknown how and when the
pest entered Australia.
(4) This is a three-year,
cost-shared national response plan, with an associated budget of $41.29 million.
(5) The national
Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests, or CCEPP, has determined that
polyphagous shot-hole borer is feasible to eradicate.
(6) This is undetermined.
(7) Native trees
are not considered natural hosts of the polyphagous shot-hole borer and, to
date, have only been found to be infested when in close proximity to heavily
infested non-native hosts.
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