Biosecurity

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has again taken the fight for local fishing families to Macquarie Street, delivering a Private Member’s Statement in the NSW Parliament on Tuesday night, calling on the Minns Labor Government to provide immediate financial support for Clarence River and Evans Head commercial fishers impacted by the extended white spot biosecurity orders.

The illegal importation of 62 tonnes of pork and other animal protein from Thailand into Australia proves the urgent need for increased funding and resources for frontline biosecurity services ... a District Court judge sentencing her to a 24-month intensive corrections order and 150 hours of community service ... “The two cases demonstrate that food smugglers can get away with breaching our biosecurity laws too easily and for too long before being found out, and face too small a punishment”: CA Chief Executive, Dr Chris Parker.

Paul Beltz. The green pick available on swampy land or dried up billabongs and dams may seem a boon for producers during drought and difficult seasonal conditions. However, it’s important to check for toxic weeds and plants in swampy areas ... Toxic plants that might be found in these areas include dock, soursob, fat hen, lesser loosestrife and swamp grass.

The Minns Government has handed down the NSW State Budget. Here is what is on the cards for communities living in the Back Country... $12.0 million Broken Hill Hospital Emergency Department Upgrade ... Continuing $24.8 million for the Wilcannia Weir Refurbishment Project ...

Some of Western Australia's most unique reptiles have been rescued from smugglers who were attempting to send them interstate through Perth Airport. In one case, a package containing eight live bobtail lizards destined for Sydney was intercepted, resulting in a $2,500 fine.

Businesses on southern Yorke Peninsula have been hit by a tourism downturn amid the ongoing algal bloom. Stansbury has been affected by brevetoxin, closing the town's oyster farms for over six weeks, which Dalrymple Hotel owner Rob Rankine said had influenced visitation to the town.

Sarah Herrmann. if it goes on for another month, I don't know that we'll still be in business." That's the sentiment of Stansbury oyster farmer Steve Bowley. Mr Bowley's farm, Pacific Estate Oysters, is one of several in the area closed due to the level of brevetoxin present.

Ninety years ago this month, Australia embarked on an ambitious but ultimately ill-fated experiment in biological control. In 1935, Queensland sugar cane farmers faced a relentless enemy—the cane beetle ...

A Cotswold Hills resident has helped prevent the potential spread of fire ants by reporting fire ants found on second-hand machinery purchased from within a fire ant biosecurity zone. On Friday, 29 May the resident spotted suspect fire ants in organic material inside the loader bucket and on the machine's frame.