❓ Mrs Warr inquires about the process and criteria for adding plants to the declared weeds list in WA, focusing on biosecurity measures and the State's role in regional protection. The Minister outlines the risk assessment and consultation process undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
AnsweredQoN 1580Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the State’s role in biosecurity in the regions, and I ask: (a) How are plants on the declared weeds list determined; and (b) What are the criteria for plants to be added for this list?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
1 days
(a) All pests declared under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (Act) are declared by the Minister for Agriculture and Food following technical risk assessment and advice from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Consultation is undertaken by the department during this process, and further consultation may be undertaken by the Minister in accordance with the Act.
(b) For a plant to be declared as a pest under the Act there must be reasonable grounds for believing the species may have an adverse impact on another plant or animal, people, the environment, or our agricultural, fishing or pearling industries. Several factors are considered, including:
· the potential for it to enter, establish and spread in WA.
· control options available.
· the social, economic and environmental consequences of assigning the weed a legal status – balancing biosecurity protection with reasonable obligations for landholders, businesses and the community.
(b) For a plant to be declared as a pest under the Act there must be reasonable grounds for believing the species may have an adverse impact on another plant or animal, people, the environment, or our agricultural, fishing or pearling industries. Several factors are considered, including:
· the potential for it to enter, establish and spread in WA.
· control options available.
· the social, economic and environmental consequences of assigning the weed a legal status – balancing biosecurity protection with reasonable obligations for landholders, businesses and the community.
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