❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the discovery of a European wood borer, raising concerns about quarantine measures and potential economic impact. The Minister acknowledges the seriousness of the issue and outlines ongoing investigations and collaborations with AQIS.
AnsweredQoN 278Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the article headed “Wood borer found in home” in The West Australian of Saturday, 10 April 2004, which reports the discovery of a European wood borer in a Parkerville home. (1) How many reported identifications of wood borers have there been in Western Australia in the past five years? (2) Will the minister advise what is the likely source of the wood borers in terms of country of origin and the types of imported goods in which they may have been brought into the State? (3) Does this indicate that the current Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service inspection regime is inadequate? (4) If yes to (3), what measures is the Government taking in conjunction with the relevant commonwealth minister to prevent further imports of these and similar very damaging insect pests? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(1) How many reported identifications of wood borers have there been in Western Australia in the past five years? (2) Will the minister advise what is the likely source of the wood borers in terms of country of origin and the types of imported goods in which they may have been brought into the State? (3) Does this indicate that the current Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service inspection regime is inadequate? (4) If yes to (3), what measures is the Government taking in conjunction with the relevant commonwealth minister to prevent further imports of these and similar very damaging insect pests? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(2) Will the minister advise what is the likely source of the wood borers in terms of country of origin and the types of imported goods in which they may have been brought into the State? (3) Does this indicate that the current Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service inspection regime is inadequate? (4) If yes to (3), what measures is the Government taking in conjunction with the relevant commonwealth minister to prevent further imports of these and similar very damaging insect pests? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(3) Does this indicate that the current Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service inspection regime is inadequate? (4) If yes to (3), what measures is the Government taking in conjunction with the relevant commonwealth minister to prevent further imports of these and similar very damaging insect pests? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(4) If yes to (3), what measures is the Government taking in conjunction with the relevant commonwealth minister to prevent further imports of these and similar very damaging insect pests? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(1) How many reported identifications of wood borers have there been in Western Australia in the past five years? (2) Will the minister advise what is the likely source of the wood borers in terms of country of origin and the types of imported goods in which they may have been brought into the State? (3) Does this indicate that the current Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service inspection regime is inadequate? (4) If yes to (3), what measures is the Government taking in conjunction with the relevant commonwealth minister to prevent further imports of these and similar very damaging insect pests? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(2) Will the minister advise what is the likely source of the wood borers in terms of country of origin and the types of imported goods in which they may have been brought into the State? (3) Does this indicate that the current Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service inspection regime is inadequate? (4) If yes to (3), what measures is the Government taking in conjunction with the relevant commonwealth minister to prevent further imports of these and similar very damaging insect pests? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(3) Does this indicate that the current Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service inspection regime is inadequate? (4) If yes to (3), what measures is the Government taking in conjunction with the relevant commonwealth minister to prevent further imports of these and similar very damaging insect pests? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(4) If yes to (3), what measures is the Government taking in conjunction with the relevant commonwealth minister to prevent further imports of these and similar very damaging insect pests? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
I thank Hon Dee Margetts for giving me notice of the question, but also particularly for raising this issue, which is one of potentially very serious concern. (1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(1) There have been two reported sites where this insect has been identified. I believe that answer relates to the type of borer the member has identified. I believe the Hawaiian borer outbreak was a separate incident. However, these issues are clearly occurring. (2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(2) This is being investigated, and the source of infestation is not known at this stage. (3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(3) AQIS follows a risk-management process to mitigate quarantine risks associated with imported goods, including timber, and has put in place several initiatives designed to reduce the number of breaches and incursions and to safeguard quarantine integrity. Western Australia has raised concerns with AQIS about the incursions and breaches of exotic pests associated with AQIS-inspected entry pathways. (4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
(4) The Department of Agriculture is interacting with AQIS in introducing new measures to further reduce the risks of introduction of new pests. I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
I believe that answer adequately deals with the questions that have been asked to the extent that we know the answers. However, this is a very serious pest and is indicative of some of the biosecurity threats that we are facing. If my assumptions are right, this is the second wood-eating insect of its kind from an exotic source that has been found in the past couple of years. We need to look to how we manage issues of this kind, particularly given the outbreak of the red fire ant in Ipswich and in greater Brisbane in the past couple of years. At last count, the cost to the Australian public of dealing with it has been more than $160 million. At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
At this stage the Department of Agriculture largely handles these issues, although the issue of wood borers is not an agricultural matter. However, the department handles it out of its budget. This is a very expensive exercise. It costs between $50 000 and $80 000 a house to deal with an infestation. The reason the Department of Agriculture deals with it is that at the moment it has the entomologists and the people who are licensed to use the nasty chemicals, such as methyl bromide, that are used to control the pests. I thank the member for raising the matter, because it is an issue to which government needs to give serious attention in the next short while.
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