BAITING is underway at Port Botany after the detection of invasive red imported fire ants at the facility.
Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson said the National Fire Ant Program was assisting with the operation, and three odour detection dogs had been brought down from Queensland to help with eradication.
“A team of emergency response experts, including regulatory officers, biosecurity officers, and entomologists are at the site looking for nests, setting traps and commencing eradication," she said.
“Genetic testing undertaken by Queensland DAFF has confirmed the ant is indeed the red imported fire ant, and is not related to any of the incursions in Queensland.
“Red imported fire ant has not been detected previously in NSW and investigations are underway to determine the origin and how long the ants may have been here.”
Ms Hodgkinson said the detection site has been quarantined and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is working closely with port operators, who are cooperating fully with authorities.
“While the detection currently appears to be localised to the area, we are conducting extensive surveillance in a much larger area to make sure the pests haven’t spread,” Ms Hodgkinson said.