Hon. Steve Martin asks about seed testing labs in WA, specifically regarding closures and mitigation strategies. The Minister acknowledges disruptions at DPIRD South Perth but highlights alternative arrangements and a new biosecurity centre.

AnsweredQoN 1164Legislative Council
Asked
19 September 2024
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT —
SEED TESTING
1164. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to seed testing by the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
(1) What labs are used for seed
testing in Western Australia?
(2) Is a seed testing lab closing or
has one recently closed?
(3) What has been done to mitigate
the impact of this lab closure, particularly with harvest coming up?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's usual seed
certification and field inspection services
are operating. Some seed testing at DPIRD has been suspended due to access
restrictions at the South Perth site. In preparation for the harvest
season, DPIRD has facilitated service provision through other accredited
laboratories. On 8 August 2024, I announced that the Cook government was fast-tracking $83 million to establish a new state
biosecurity response centre. Planning for this centre, which will
include diagnostic and laboratory infrastructure, is well progressed.

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