Image: On 18 October 2023, the inquiry was referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, with a report by 18 April 2024. (Image: Invasive pest Council of Australia)
GrainGrowers is calling for a reset of Australia’s biosecurity system as Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) breached the NSW border in November, 2023.
A Federal senate inquiry into the issue was referred late last year, tasked with investigating expected costs and impacts, if red imported fire ants are able to spread across Australia, on human health, social amenity, agriculture, the environment, infrastructure and regional workers.
In their submission, GrainGrowers said “RIFA is a significant concern for the Australia’s $31 billion grains industry. Fire ants can damage crops by chewing through the seed and reducing germination”…….