❓ A parliamentary question addresses the potential for a locust plague in the Wheatbelt, seeking assurances regarding departmental coordination, resources, and prevention measures. The Minister's response outlines a plan for assessment and management, emphasizing economic damage minimization rather than complete prevention.
AnsweredQoN 1084Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Minister to the extreme possibility of a Spring 2006 locust plague throughout the Wheatbelt with the potential to cause hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage at a time when Western Australian farmers are suffering from sky-rocketing fuel and fertilizer costs, a critical labour shortage and low profit margins and I ask -
(1) Is the Minister ensuring there is clear definition of, and delineation of, roles between all departments and agencies responsible for the immediate location and eradication of locusts in all affected areas?
(2) Is the Minister ensuring that all these departments and agencies have adequate resources in manpower, finance and expertise in place to combat this current threat?
(3) Will the Minister guarantee that all these departments and agencies have adequate resources in manpower, finance and expertise in place to prevent future outbreaks of a similar nature?
(1) Is the Minister ensuring there is clear definition of, and delineation of, roles between all departments and agencies responsible for the immediate location and eradication of locusts in all affected areas?
(2) Is the Minister ensuring that all these departments and agencies have adequate resources in manpower, finance and expertise in place to combat this current threat?
(3) Will the Minister guarantee that all these departments and agencies have adequate resources in manpower, finance and expertise in place to prevent future outbreaks of a similar nature?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 May 2006
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for the Mid West and Wheatbelt
Response time
9 days
2. Once the Department has determined the potential extent and severity of the predicted locust problem the Government will consider funding and other resourcing requirements. It is expected that an estimate of expected costs of a coordinated control program will be known in late May. 3. It is expected that by late May an accurate outlook for spring will be available at which time plans will be developed to ensure the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. Previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. It must be noted however that the objective of a coordinated control program can only be to achieve economic minimisation of damage. Locust plagues are a naturally occuring event and absolute prevention of such events is not a realistic or achievable aim.
3. It is expected that by late May an accurate outlook for spring will be available at which time plans will be developed to ensure the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. Previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. It must be noted however that the objective of a coordinated control program can only be to achieve economic minimisation of damage. Locust plagues are a naturally occuring event and absolute prevention of such events is not a realistic or achievable aim.
3. It is expected that by late May an accurate outlook for spring will be available at which time plans will be developed to ensure the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. Previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. It must be noted however that the objective of a coordinated control program can only be to achieve economic minimisation of damage. Locust plagues are a naturally occuring event and absolute prevention of such events is not a realistic or achievable aim.
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