Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 5248

❓ Mr. Cowper asks the Minister for Agriculture and Food about the potential declassification of Cotton Bush and Paterson's Curse as Category C declared pests and the rationale behind forming regional biosecurity groups. The Minister states a review is underway and no changes are currently intended.

AnsweredQoN 5248Legislative Assembly

Asked

16 March 2016

Member

Mr M.J. Cowper

Portfolio

Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

Can the Minister please advise whether it is his intention to declassify Cotton Bush and Paterson's Curse as a Category C declared pest, and if so why have you initiated the shires of Murray, Serpentine, Mandurah, Waroona and Harvey into forming regional biosecurity groups?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

23 April 2016

Responded by

Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food

Response time

38 days

A formal review is underway for all pest species currently declared under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007. The process includes a technical review, a Stakeholder Reference Group review and broader community consultation. These processes provide ample opportunity for biosecurity groups to express their views about the need for ongoing control of widespread and established weeds, including the two examples that you provide.
I note that the two examples of weeds provided are currently categorised as C3 (Management). At this stage, the Minister has no intention to change this but will consider the advice provided to him based on the review processes when received.

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