The NR Times Rural News
November 16, 2023
36 RURAL NEWS
Weeds and pests cost farmers billions, reinforces need for container levy
A report released by ABARES this week has highlighted that weeds and pests are costing farmers $5.3 billion a year through management and production loss. National Farmers’ Federation CEO Tony Mahar said this extraordinary figure once again showed farmers were already doing the
bulk of the heavy lifting in Australia’s biosecurity system. “Australian farmers already directly carry the significant cost of biosecurity failures, both at the time of incursion and for years following. It forms a major component of their cost base and has a material impact on their businesses,” Mr Mahar
said. The ABARES report comes against the backdrop of the Government’s Biosecurity Protection Levy, which is being rushed into implementation by 1 July next year. “The argument that the Biosecurity Protection Levy would see producers pay
just a small fraction of additional costs completely overlooks these billions farmers already pay along the biosecurity continuum, in addition to other significant contributions they make to proactive biosecurity activities.” The sector has told the Government its key concern with the new producer Levy is the
apparent abandonment of a Container Levy policy on importers. “Review after review has recommended a Container Levy on risk creators such as importers as an effective and efficient means of ensuring risks creators help fund additional and proactive biosecurity activities,” Mr Mahar said.
“The ABARES report clearly demonstrates why this is important. “We have made clear to the Government during conversations about the Biosecurity Protection Levy that the sector expects that the Container Levy be put in place - or the reasons explained why it will not be implemented, be made public.”
Biocontrol puts weeds on the back foot Renewed focus on weed biocontrol through a collaborative initiative is set to deliver benefits to land managers and the environment in the fight against weeds. The initial phase of implementing the National Weed Biocontrol Pipeline Strategy includes the drafting of a national priority list of candidate weeds for biological control. Biological control, or biocontrol, is the practice of managing
pests or weeds by introducing its ‘natural enemies’, such as insects and pathogens (known as biocontrol agents). Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, Dr Bertie Hennecke, said the development of biocontrol capability is a complex process. “Research into biocontrol can take years to complete, but by establishing a national priority list we can best direct
investment to get the ball rolling,” Dr Hennecke said. The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS), partnering with Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, Biosecurity Queensland - Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Agriculture Victoria, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, and Wild Matters will collectively lead the project.
The strategy (prepared by CSIRO and CISS) has been approved by the Environment and Invasives Committee, a subcommittee of the National Biosecurity Committee, and the initial phase of work is funded by the Australian Government with in-kind support from the states and territories, and research institutions. CISS CEO Andreas Glanznig said that weed biocontrol is a great investment in Australia’s landscapes, biodiversity,
!"#$%&'()*#%+,'-' ./&))*'01&/2/$%3+ 789%:%;)<,6+=%933/)-.4 42"5'67'8"/59
!"#$%$&'%'&!
()*+),()-./01+23),456)(
!"!"#$%&'()*+ #$%&"'()*+, !"-.+/01/"2(3)"40/5+. ,%-."/*.)0*$%)"%!"# !"6 78+.0+)9+,"'$.:+.&"'()*+, ,%-.*1021%3')*$%-'0+
02 6642 8600
and agriculture. “Previous research has shown that from an average annual investment of $4.3 million, Australia reaps annual benefits of $95.3 million,” Mr Glanznig said. Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO Dr Michelle Rafter said biocontrol is an effective way to control weeds across the landscape. “Modern sciencebased biocontrol is a sustainable, safe and cost-effective way to
help control weeds at a landscape scale,” Dr Rafter said. Weeds have a negative impact on Australia’s environment, livelihood, and agricultural productivity, with an overall average cost of nearly $5 billion across Australia each year. Biocontrol offers a way forward to potentially claw back some of this huge cost to Australia.
