A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about the spread of onion weed in the Nullarbor region, inquiring about its declaration as a noxious weed and potential biological control measures based on South Australian trials. The Minister acknowledges the issue and outlines the process for declaration and ongoing monitoring of biological control research.

AnsweredQoN 1349Legislative Council
Asked
16 October 2003
Portfolio
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

At a recent landcare meeting, held I believe on the weekend, in the Nullarbor region concern was expressed regarding the spread of onion weed. (1) Will the WA Department of Agriculture consider declaring onion weed on the noxious weeds list? (2) I understand that trials for biological control of onion weed have been undertaken in South Australia, which are showing signs of success. Is the minister aware of this information? (3) If not, will he give an undertaking to contact the South Australian Department of Agriculture to find out the results of these trials? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank Hon John Fischer for raising this issue again. I acknowledge that the honourable member has already raised this issue, although not in this detail. (1) The Agriculture Protection Board would consider a submission to have onion weed - Ashphodelus fistulosus - declared. As the weed is not currently declared, it is possible for the local government authority in the area to apply to have it prescribed as a pest plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976. This would allow the local government to apply local by-laws to enforce control of the weed. (2) The Department of Agriculture maintains close links with weed researchers and regulators in all other States and keeps abreast of developments that may be of benefit to producers in this State. It is aware of the South Australian application to have onion weed approved by the Australian Weeds Committee as a target for biological control. So far this approval has not been granted due to concerns raised by New South Wales. (3) I have requested the Department of Agriculture to follow up any further information on the potential for biological control of this weed.
(1) Will the WA Department of Agriculture consider declaring onion weed on the noxious weeds list? (2) I understand that trials for biological control of onion weed have been undertaken in South Australia, which are showing signs of success. Is the minister aware of this information? (3) If not, will he give an undertaking to contact the South Australian Department of Agriculture to find out the results of these trials? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon John Fischer for raising this issue again. I acknowledge that the honourable member has already raised this issue, although not in this detail. (1) The Agriculture Protection Board would consider a submission to have onion weed - Ashphodelus fistulosus - declared. As the weed is not currently declared, it is possible for the local government authority in the area to apply to have it prescribed as a pest plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976. This would allow the local government to apply local by-laws to enforce control of the weed. (2) The Department of Agriculture maintains close links with weed researchers and regulators in all other States and keeps abreast of developments that may be of benefit to producers in this State. It is aware of the South Australian application to have onion weed approved by the Australian Weeds Committee as a target for biological control. So far this approval has not been granted due to concerns raised by New South Wales. (3) I have requested the Department of Agriculture to follow up any further information on the potential for biological control of this weed.
(2) I understand that trials for biological control of onion weed have been undertaken in South Australia, which are showing signs of success. Is the minister aware of this information? (3) If not, will he give an undertaking to contact the South Australian Department of Agriculture to find out the results of these trials? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon John Fischer for raising this issue again. I acknowledge that the honourable member has already raised this issue, although not in this detail. (1) The Agriculture Protection Board would consider a submission to have onion weed - Ashphodelus fistulosus - declared. As the weed is not currently declared, it is possible for the local government authority in the area to apply to have it prescribed as a pest plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976. This would allow the local government to apply local by-laws to enforce control of the weed. (2) The Department of Agriculture maintains close links with weed researchers and regulators in all other States and keeps abreast of developments that may be of benefit to producers in this State. It is aware of the South Australian application to have onion weed approved by the Australian Weeds Committee as a target for biological control. So far this approval has not been granted due to concerns raised by New South Wales. (3) I have requested the Department of Agriculture to follow up any further information on the potential for biological control of this weed.
(3) If not, will he give an undertaking to contact the South Australian Department of Agriculture to find out the results of these trials? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon John Fischer for raising this issue again. I acknowledge that the honourable member has already raised this issue, although not in this detail. (1) The Agriculture Protection Board would consider a submission to have onion weed - Ashphodelus fistulosus - declared. As the weed is not currently declared, it is possible for the local government authority in the area to apply to have it prescribed as a pest plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976. This would allow the local government to apply local by-laws to enforce control of the weed. (2) The Department of Agriculture maintains close links with weed researchers and regulators in all other States and keeps abreast of developments that may be of benefit to producers in this State. It is aware of the South Australian application to have onion weed approved by the Australian Weeds Committee as a target for biological control. So far this approval has not been granted due to concerns raised by New South Wales. (3) I have requested the Department of Agriculture to follow up any further information on the potential for biological control of this weed.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank Hon John Fischer for raising this issue again. I acknowledge that the honourable member has already raised this issue, although not in this detail. (1) The Agriculture Protection Board would consider a submission to have onion weed - Ashphodelus fistulosus - declared. As the weed is not currently declared, it is possible for the local government authority in the area to apply to have it prescribed as a pest plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976. This would allow the local government to apply local by-laws to enforce control of the weed. (2) The Department of Agriculture maintains close links with weed researchers and regulators in all other States and keeps abreast of developments that may be of benefit to producers in this State. It is aware of the South Australian application to have onion weed approved by the Australian Weeds Committee as a target for biological control. So far this approval has not been granted due to concerns raised by New South Wales. (3) I have requested the Department of Agriculture to follow up any further information on the potential for biological control of this weed.
I thank Hon John Fischer for raising this issue again. I acknowledge that the honourable member has already raised this issue, although not in this detail. (1) The Agriculture Protection Board would consider a submission to have onion weed - Ashphodelus fistulosus - declared. As the weed is not currently declared, it is possible for the local government authority in the area to apply to have it prescribed as a pest plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976. This would allow the local government to apply local by-laws to enforce control of the weed. (2) The Department of Agriculture maintains close links with weed researchers and regulators in all other States and keeps abreast of developments that may be of benefit to producers in this State. It is aware of the South Australian application to have onion weed approved by the Australian Weeds Committee as a target for biological control. So far this approval has not been granted due to concerns raised by New South Wales. (3) I have requested the Department of Agriculture to follow up any further information on the potential for biological control of this weed.
(1) The Agriculture Protection Board would consider a submission to have onion weed - Ashphodelus fistulosus - declared. As the weed is not currently declared, it is possible for the local government authority in the area to apply to have it prescribed as a pest plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976. This would allow the local government to apply local by-laws to enforce control of the weed. (2) The Department of Agriculture maintains close links with weed researchers and regulators in all other States and keeps abreast of developments that may be of benefit to producers in this State. It is aware of the South Australian application to have onion weed approved by the Australian Weeds Committee as a target for biological control. So far this approval has not been granted due to concerns raised by New South Wales. (3) I have requested the Department of Agriculture to follow up any further information on the potential for biological control of this weed.
(2) The Department of Agriculture maintains close links with weed researchers and regulators in all other States and keeps abreast of developments that may be of benefit to producers in this State. It is aware of the South Australian application to have onion weed approved by the Australian Weeds Committee as a target for biological control. So far this approval has not been granted due to concerns raised by New South Wales. (3) I have requested the Department of Agriculture to follow up any further information on the potential for biological control of this weed.
(3) I have requested the Department of Agriculture to follow up any further information on the potential for biological control of this weed.

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