In the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the State Government has banned fire ant carrying materials, such as hay, sourced from the storm impacted and infested areas of southeast Queensland.
Until there is more understanding of the impact on fire ant mobility and locations in the infected areas, NSW must protect its communities, farms and landscape.
The Group Biosecurity Emergency Permit, which allowed movements of hay from lower risk areas in the fire ant biosecurity zone of southeast Queensland under certain conditions, will be suspended for one month effective immediately.
There will be increased surveillance and monitoring of movements across the NSW/Qld border.
The recent winds, rainfall and flooding have disrupted fire ants in southeast Queensland and people in those areas may not be aware of fire ants moving into their businesses and stored materials such as hay, soil, landscaping materials, pots and soils.
The government response come after multiple fire ant colonies were seen moving in flood waters in Queensland, within the Logan River catchment. While the catchment flows to the northeast and into Moreton Bay, the risk of mobile fire ant colonies being transported into NSW in known carrier materials is increased because they may appear in new Queensland locations.
NSW Chief Invasive Species officer Scott Charlton said, “We know that fire ants will raft in water as a survival mechanism and move following rain and flooding events.”
“The recent videos and images on social media of fire ants forming rafts are no doubt concerning. However, we know from hydrological analysis that ants floating into NSW is not possible.”
The suspension of hay movement allows the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to assess the distribution of fire ants and determine the current biosecurity risk.
Fodder material such as baled hay could be unsuspectedly transported into NSW.
Other materials such as soil, sand, vegetation and debris are also regulated as high-risk carriers of fire ants.
Surveillance will target high-risk locations identified through tracing of fire ant carrier materials, along with areas highlighted by habitat suitability modelling.
The State Government has committed $95million to combatting fire ants.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said fire ants won’t march into NSW, they’ll be carried with materials such as soil, mulch, hay and turf, or fly in by natural spread from Queensland.
“The impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred are being felt in our agricultural sector in the north of the state. They need our support to get them back on their feet and don’t want a fire ant incursion adding stress and strain to their recovery,” Ms Moriarty said.
This information was provided by the NSW Government.
