A WA parliamentary question addresses the State Government's efforts to control cotton bush, apple of sodom, and blackberries, including prosecutions, funding, and responsibility for weed control. The response indicates these weeds are widespread and eradication is not feasible, with funding allocated regionally rather than by species.

AnsweredQoN 186Legislative Assembly
Asked
7 May 2013
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

In reference to the listing of cotton bush, apple of sodom and blackberry on the Department’s declared plants list, I ask:
(a) what is the State Government doing to help contain or eradicate cotton bush, apple of sodom and blackberries;
(b) how many people since 2010 have been prosecuted for not controlling:
(i) cotton bush;
(ii) apple of sodom; and
(iii) blackberries;
(c) what funding was provided in the 2012-13 Department budget to control:
(i) cotton bush;
(ii) apple of sodom; and
(iii) blackberries; and
(d) who has the ultimate control over the spread, control and eradication of noxious weeds?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
14 May 2013
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
7 days
(a) The three weeds are widespread and established in Western
Australia. It is not feasible to eradicate these weeds. The
Department and Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) is arranging for
a community coordinated response to contain widespread and established weeds in
the South West Agricultural region. A range of control methods are
available. DAFWA will support communities in their coordinated response to
control of established weeds where required.
(b)(i) None.
(ii) None.
(iii) None.
(c) (i, ii and ii) DAFWA does not allocate or account for funding on a
species-by-species basis. The South West Agricultural Region, where these
three species most commonly occur, has a budget allocation of $842,012 for
2012-2013 for all invasive species requirements within the region.
(d) Landholders have responsibility to control declared weeds on their
properties.

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