Fire ant control is at the crossroads as the nation’s agriculture ministers meet, with the Invasive Species Council warning of the huge risks to agriculture if the exotic and dangerous pest is not exterminated.
The Council has warned agriculture ministers that one of the biggest biosecurity operations ever undertaken in the country will only succeed if it avoids the secretive decision-making of the past.
"Australia's fire ant eradication program has struggled in the past from a lack of funding and a cumbersome, secretive structure," Invasive Species Council CEO Andrew Cox said.
"When Australia's agriculture ministers meet in Melbourne to sign off on the new $380 million fire ant eradication program, one of the biggest biosecurity operations ever undertaken in Australia, they must lock in a revamped program that is open and independent.
“Eradicating fire ants from Australia remains technically feasible, but the operation will be long, complex and require everybody in the affected areas and beyond to play a role.
"Getting the decision-making and oversight right will be key to the eradication program's success.”
Fire ants are a serious environmental, health and agricultural pest in Australia. If not eradicated they will have a greater impact than rabbits, cane toads, foxes, camels, wild dogs and feral cats combined, and cost the economy more than $1 billion a year, the council says.
In the US where they are now out of control fire ants have caused the deaths of almost 100 people, wiped out native species and impacted all aspects of life.
"Only recently a new outbreak was uncovered 70km north of the fire ant biosecurity zone around Brisbane," Mr Cox said.
"Thankfully the Sunshine Coast reaction was rapid and well publicised, responded well to community concerns and should be a model for the program in the future. But the discovery clearly demonstrates that Australia is running out of time to eradicate this destructive menace.
"We need to prepare for a long, hard fight to eradicate fire ants. That's why we have released a seven-point plan that, if taken up, will ensure the new fire ant eradication program is open and independent, builds trust and avoids the problems of the past," Mr Cox said.
Recommendations include setting up a national invasive ant oversight committee with an independent chair and non-government representatives as well as the creation of an independent body to run the fire ant eradication program.
“Time is running out to eradicate fire ants. We are calling on all states, territories and the federal government to show they are serious about stopping fire ants by creating a properly funded program that will get the job done,” Mr Cox said.
The council’s statement of concern, which is supported by Agforce, and the National Farmers Federation is:
“We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the spread of red fire ants. We support full eradication of red fire ants in Australia.
Red fire ants will impact Australia’s outdoor way of life. They will infest playgrounds, sporting fields and backyards, reduce agricultural output, do serious injury to those who live and work in infested areas and threaten the safety of our children and our unique native plants and animals.
We call on all federal, state and territory governments to urgently:
- Fund the eradication of red fire ants to the level recommended by the expert review into the red imported fire ant eradication program.
- Commit to fund the program until the job is complete to provide certainty and ensure success.
- Provide the necessary oversight and transparency to ensure that eradication efforts are effective and accountable to governments and the public.
- Ensure that effective biosecurity measures are in place to prevent the arrival of new infestations of red fire ants.”
The NSW Local Government Association and Canegrowers Australia is expected to also sign the statement of concern.
John Ellicott
journalist and author
journalist and author
