❓ The Minister for Agriculture and Food outlines the Department's plan to monitor, manage, and contain potential locust plagues in the wheatbelt, while also addressing a lighthearted query about the Fremantle Dockers' football score.
AnsweredQoN 237Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LOCUST PLAGUE - WHEATBELT
Will the minister outline his and the Department of Agriculture’s plan to monitor, manage and contain the potential locust plague threatening the wheatbelt in the spring? Hon KIM CHANCE
Will the minister outline his and the Department of Agriculture’s plan to monitor, manage and contain the potential locust plague threatening the wheatbelt in the spring? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Anthony Fels for the question, and for providing some notice of it. The question that Hon Anthony Fels really wanted to ask, however, was whether, at this afternoon’s hearing of the Australian Football Commission, the Fremantle Dockers were awarded the four points. I know Hon Barbara Scott at least will need to know the answer to this question. The answer is yes; the Dockers were awarded the four points. Hon Simon O’Brien : It should have been five to allow for the stress and aggravation! Hon KIM CHANCE : Yes. I knew Hon Anthony Fels would want to know the answer as well. In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Anthony Fels for the question, and for providing some notice of it. The question that Hon Anthony Fels really wanted to ask, however, was whether, at this afternoon’s hearing of the Australian Football Commission, the Fremantle Dockers were awarded the four points. I know Hon Barbara Scott at least will need to know the answer to this question. The answer is yes; the Dockers were awarded the four points. Hon Simon O’Brien : It should have been five to allow for the stress and aggravation! Hon KIM CHANCE : Yes. I knew Hon Anthony Fels would want to know the answer as well. In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
I thank Hon Anthony Fels for the question, and for providing some notice of it. The question that Hon Anthony Fels really wanted to ask, however, was whether, at this afternoon’s hearing of the Australian Football Commission, the Fremantle Dockers were awarded the four points. I know Hon Barbara Scott at least will need to know the answer to this question. The answer is yes; the Dockers were awarded the four points. Hon Simon O’Brien : It should have been five to allow for the stress and aggravation! Hon KIM CHANCE : Yes. I knew Hon Anthony Fels would want to know the answer as well. In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
Hon Simon O’Brien : It should have been five to allow for the stress and aggravation! Hon KIM CHANCE : Yes. I knew Hon Anthony Fels would want to know the answer as well. In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
Hon KIM CHANCE : Yes. I knew Hon Anthony Fels would want to know the answer as well. In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Anthony Fels for the question, and for providing some notice of it. The question that Hon Anthony Fels really wanted to ask, however, was whether, at this afternoon’s hearing of the Australian Football Commission, the Fremantle Dockers were awarded the four points. I know Hon Barbara Scott at least will need to know the answer to this question. The answer is yes; the Dockers were awarded the four points. Hon Simon O’Brien : It should have been five to allow for the stress and aggravation! Hon KIM CHANCE : Yes. I knew Hon Anthony Fels would want to know the answer as well. In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
I thank Hon Anthony Fels for the question, and for providing some notice of it. The question that Hon Anthony Fels really wanted to ask, however, was whether, at this afternoon’s hearing of the Australian Football Commission, the Fremantle Dockers were awarded the four points. I know Hon Barbara Scott at least will need to know the answer to this question. The answer is yes; the Dockers were awarded the four points. Hon Simon O’Brien : It should have been five to allow for the stress and aggravation! Hon KIM CHANCE : Yes. I knew Hon Anthony Fels would want to know the answer as well. In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
Hon Simon O’Brien : It should have been five to allow for the stress and aggravation! Hon KIM CHANCE : Yes. I knew Hon Anthony Fels would want to know the answer as well. In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
Hon KIM CHANCE : Yes. I knew Hon Anthony Fels would want to know the answer as well. In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
In response to the specific question asked by Hon Anthony Fels, the Department of Agriculture and Food is carrying out surveys of locust populations across the wheatbelt and will use that information to forecast the possible extent and severity of any predicted outbreak of Australian plague locusts in spring. The department is providing advice to landholders on the management of the risk to early crop and pasture establishment and is working with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to ensure that a range of appropriate insecticides is available for landholders to control locusts in spring. It is expected that by late this month an accurate outlook for spring will be available, at which time plans will be developed to ensure that the outbreak is managed in the most effective way. As the member will be aware, we have experienced a number of outbreaks of Australian plague locusts throughout the wheatbelt, particularly the eastern wheatbelt, since 2000. Those previous outbreaks have been accurately predicted and effectively managed so that damage to susceptible crops and pastures has been minimised. We have every expectation that that will be repeated this year. The indication from the monitoring we have done so far is that the severity of the locust plague for this spring will be mid-range. It will probably be not as severe as that experienced in 2000 but more severe than other outbreaks in subsequent years.
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