❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Regional Development regarding the effectiveness of the annual biosecurity blitz, specifically concerning the number of reports received, actions taken, and land treated. The Minister's response highlights community engagement but reveals limited direct action resulting from the reports.
AnsweredQoN 1006Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BIOSECURITY BLITZ CAMPAIGN
1006. Hon
Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the minister's
media release yesterday announcing the fourth annual biosecurity blitz to be
conducted for a month, starting today.
(1) How many
reports of biosecurity concerns were received by the department in each of the
last three annual blitzes?
(2) How many
actions were taken as a result of those reports?
(3) As a result
of those reports, what area of land was treated for invasive species in each
year?
(4) How many of
those reports related to invasive species whose classification the government
changed to a ''permitted organism'' as identified in the Government
Gazette of 17 November 2017?
1006. Hon
Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the minister's
media release yesterday announcing the fourth annual biosecurity blitz to be
conducted for a month, starting today.
(1) How many
reports of biosecurity concerns were received by the department in each of the
last three annual blitzes?
(2) How many
actions were taken as a result of those reports?
(3) As a result
of those reports, what area of land was treated for invasive species in each
year?
(4) How many of
those reports related to invasive species whose classification the government
changed to a ''permitted organism'' as identified in the Government
Gazette of 17 November 2017?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
(1)–(2) Over
the three previous biosecurity blitzes, the Department of Primary Industries
and Regional Development received 1 575 reports, indicating community members
are aware of the need to work with the department to protect our agrifood
industries from damaging pests. The department stores all submitted reports
that may be used to help demonstrate area freedom from exotic pests and support
market access for Western Australian produce. Of the total reports in 2015, one
report resulted in a biosecurity action, delimiting surveillance, and in 2017
one report resulted in biosecurity action, a communication and engagement
campaign to encourage all to report observations of the pest. In 2016, there
were no reports triggering biosecurity action.
(3) The treatment
of land was not required as a result of the reports.
(4) There were 14
reports relating to five species. These species were: bridal creeper, one
report; Paterson's curse, three reports; one-leaf Cape tulip, six
reports; two-leaf Cape tulip, one report; and I think while we have this
question, for the arum lily, three reports.
(1)–(2) Over
the three previous biosecurity blitzes, the Department of Primary Industries
and Regional Development received 1 575 reports, indicating community members
are aware of the need to work with the department to protect our agrifood
industries from damaging pests. The department stores all submitted reports
that may be used to help demonstrate area freedom from exotic pests and support
market access for Western Australian produce. Of the total reports in 2015, one
report resulted in a biosecurity action, delimiting surveillance, and in 2017
one report resulted in biosecurity action, a communication and engagement
campaign to encourage all to report observations of the pest. In 2016, there
were no reports triggering biosecurity action.
(3) The treatment
of land was not required as a result of the reports.
(4) There were 14
reports relating to five species. These species were: bridal creeper, one
report; Paterson's curse, three reports; one-leaf Cape tulip, six
reports; two-leaf Cape tulip, one report; and I think while we have this
question, for the arum lily, three reports.
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