❓ The question concerns the redirection of high-priority agricultural samples interstate following the suspension of services at DPIRD South Perth, focusing on assessment criteria, sample handling, and potential time impacts. The answer clarifies sample handling processes and denies significant delays.
AnsweredQoN 1437Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BIOSECURITY CENTRE
— SAMPLES — INTERSTATE REDIRECTION
1437. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to the June 2024 suspension
of vital agricultural diagnostic and laboratory services at the Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, and the minister's
media statement of 8 August 2024 on the commissioning of a new state
biosecurity centre.
(1) What are the
assessment criteria for the interstate redirection of high-priority samples
from veterinarians and agronomists?
(2) Are all samples triaged through
DPIRD, South Perth, as the first point of contact?
(3) How are
high-priority samples transferred to the relevant laboratories in Canberra,
Victoria and South Australia?
(4) Are the high-priority samples
transported accompanied or unaccompanied?
(5) What critical
time impacts have now resulted in the transference of high-priority samples to
the eastern states?
— SAMPLES — INTERSTATE REDIRECTION
1437. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I refer to the June 2024 suspension
of vital agricultural diagnostic and laboratory services at the Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, and the minister's
media statement of 8 August 2024 on the commissioning of a new state
biosecurity centre.
(1) What are the
assessment criteria for the interstate redirection of high-priority samples
from veterinarians and agronomists?
(2) Are all samples triaged through
DPIRD, South Perth, as the first point of contact?
(3) How are
high-priority samples transferred to the relevant laboratories in Canberra,
Victoria and South Australia?
(4) Are the high-priority samples
transported accompanied or unaccompanied?
(5) What critical
time impacts have now resulted in the transference of high-priority samples to
the eastern states?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The Minister for Agriculture and Food is absent on urgent
parliamentary business. I provide the following answer on her behalf.
(1)–(5) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development triages all samples through South Perth, with the exception
of samples for the polyphagous shot-hole borer response, which are managed at
the Claremont Showground. DPIRD diagnostic
and laboratory services has always referred certain samples to other
laboratories for testing. Seed testing certification and a small proportion of
plant pathology samples— five per
cent—have been redirected interstate. There has been no change to the methodology
for testing animal pathology
samples. Those samples that are transported interstate are sent via approved
air freight carriers. DPIRD is unaware of any significant delays or impacts
with the transporting of high-priority samples.
of the question. The Minister for Agriculture and Food is absent on urgent
parliamentary business. I provide the following answer on her behalf.
(1)–(5) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development triages all samples through South Perth, with the exception
of samples for the polyphagous shot-hole borer response, which are managed at
the Claremont Showground. DPIRD diagnostic
and laboratory services has always referred certain samples to other
laboratories for testing. Seed testing certification and a small proportion of
plant pathology samples— five per
cent—have been redirected interstate. There has been no change to the methodology
for testing animal pathology
samples. Those samples that are transported interstate are sent via approved
air freight carriers. DPIRD is unaware of any significant delays or impacts
with the transporting of high-priority samples.
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