❓ A WA parliamentary question investigates an advertisement for cane toad tadpoles and seeks information on penalties and legislation preventing the introduction of pest species. The response confirms the ad was a prank and outlines relevant legislation and enforcement measures.
AnsweredQoN 2692Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of the article in The West Australian of 2 April 2001, which stated that a Perth newspaper had carried an advertisement for the sale of Cane Toad tadpoles?
(2) Did the Department of Agriculture investigate this advertisement and, if yes, what was the outcome of the investigation?
(3) What are the current penalties for possessing and/or selling specimens of such a noxious species in Western Australia?
(4) What legislation allows action to be taken to prevent the deliberate introduction of a pest species such as the Cane Toad and which Government agency enforces this legislation?
(2) Did the Department of Agriculture investigate this advertisement and, if yes, what was the outcome of the investigation?
(3) What are the current penalties for possessing and/or selling specimens of such a noxious species in Western Australia?
(4) What legislation allows action to be taken to prevent the deliberate introduction of a pest species such as the Cane Toad and which Government agency enforces this legislation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 May 2004
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Response time
43 days
2. The Department of Agriculture investigated this matter thoroughly. On the 1 April 2001 (April Fools Day), the Sunday Times carried an advertisement stating: Bufo marinus tadpoles for sale, ph. 9442 0300. Subsequent enquiries, with the assistance of the WA Police Service, indicated that the advertisement had been placed by someone who gave their name as ‘B. Cane’, of a Midland address. This was a false name and address. The telephone number given in the advertisement is actually the number for the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Crawley office. It was concluded that this advertisement was a prank. 3. Under Section 77 of the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976, administered by the Department of Agriculture, a person convicted of possessing a cane toad or any other animal prohibited under the Act, could expect a penalty of up to $1000 for a first offence and up to $5000 for subsequent offences. Under the proposed Agriculture Management Bill, a maximum penalty of up to $50 000 will apply for any individual that knowingly and illegally introducing a prohibited organism such as a cane toads into the State. 4. The Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976, administered by the Department of Agriculture, allows action to be taken to prevent the deliberate introduction of pest species. Inspections are conducted at both road and air checkpoints into the State. All reports of suspicious frogs are investigated. Extension materials are made available to the community via the department’s website, displays at agricultural shows and other events and via regular media releases.
3. Under Section 77 of the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976, administered by the Department of Agriculture, a person convicted of possessing a cane toad or any other animal prohibited under the Act, could expect a penalty of up to $1000 for a first offence and up to $5000 for subsequent offences. Under the proposed Agriculture Management Bill, a maximum penalty of up to $50 000 will apply for any individual that knowingly and illegally introducing a prohibited organism such as a cane toads into the State. 4. The Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976, administered by the Department of Agriculture, allows action to be taken to prevent the deliberate introduction of pest species. Inspections are conducted at both road and air checkpoints into the State. All reports of suspicious frogs are investigated. Extension materials are made available to the community via the department’s website, displays at agricultural shows and other events and via regular media releases.
4. The Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976, administered by the Department of Agriculture, allows action to be taken to prevent the deliberate introduction of pest species. Inspections are conducted at both road and air checkpoints into the State. All reports of suspicious frogs are investigated. Extension materials are made available to the community via the department’s website, displays at agricultural shows and other events and via regular media releases.
3. Under Section 77 of the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976, administered by the Department of Agriculture, a person convicted of possessing a cane toad or any other animal prohibited under the Act, could expect a penalty of up to $1000 for a first offence and up to $5000 for subsequent offences. Under the proposed Agriculture Management Bill, a maximum penalty of up to $50 000 will apply for any individual that knowingly and illegally introducing a prohibited organism such as a cane toads into the State. 4. The Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976, administered by the Department of Agriculture, allows action to be taken to prevent the deliberate introduction of pest species. Inspections are conducted at both road and air checkpoints into the State. All reports of suspicious frogs are investigated. Extension materials are made available to the community via the department’s website, displays at agricultural shows and other events and via regular media releases.
4. The Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976, administered by the Department of Agriculture, allows action to be taken to prevent the deliberate introduction of pest species. Inspections are conducted at both road and air checkpoints into the State. All reports of suspicious frogs are investigated. Extension materials are made available to the community via the department’s website, displays at agricultural shows and other events and via regular media releases.
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