Biosecurity
New Biosecurity Laws - 1 July 2016 - Landscape Industry Specific Information
New biosecurity laws for the Queensland landscaping industry
The new Biosecurity Act 2014 (the Act) will come into effect on 1 July 2016. The Act will improve Queensland’s biosecurity preparedness and response capabilities for the protection of your industry. Under the Act, we will be better placed to focus on the biosecurity risks that impact our economy, our agricultural and tourism industries, our environment and our lifestyle.
All individuals and organisations whose activities pose a biosecurity risk will have a legal responsibility for managing them. As an industry worker you will need to take an active role in managing biosecurity risks under your control. You will not be expected to know about all biosecurity risks, but you will be expected to know about those associated with your landscaping activities. Read the full article
What Do You Need to Know About Fire Ants?
Fire ants are dangerous imported pests that could spread to large areas of Australia, severely damaging the environment, our outdoor lifestyle and our Industries. It is for this reason that biosecurity zones and movement controls are in place to restrict the spread of fire ants in areas of South East Queensland.
The landscaping industry in Queensland is a vital partner in the fight to achieve fire ant eradication.
Responsibilities for businesses
Under new biosecurity laws all Queenslanders have a shared responsiblity to help eradicate pests such as fire ants. The latest biosecurity regulations allow for businesses and individuals to find better ways of managing their own risks.
Here are some of the ways you can fulfil your biosecurity obligation.
- Understand what fire ants look like and what materials (i.e. fire ant carriers) they might be moved in
- Be aware if you are living or working in a fire ant biosecurity zone and follow movement controls
- Follow the correct procecdures when moving or storing fire ant carriers
- Take all reasonable steps to ensure you do not spread fire ants
- Report suspect nests to Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)
More information
Find out more about fire ants
Find out more about the procedures required for moving and storing different carrier materials
Book a free training session for yourself and your staff
Status of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program
- Genetic analysis reveals there have been five different incursions of fire ants into Queensland. The first two incursions were discovered in 2001, one in the south western suburbs of Brisbane and the other at the Port of Brisbane. The third and fourth incursions were found in Yarwun, Central Queensland in 2006 and 2013. The fifth and most recent incursion was found at Brisbane Airport in 2015
- The Port of Brisbane and both of the Yarwun incursions have been successfully eradicated
- This fact highlights that the eradication techniques employed by the fire ant program work and with your continued support we will continue to make significant progress in the fight to eradicate fire ants completely from Australia
- An independent review has confirmed eradication remains feasible. Alternatives include:
Loss of outdoor lifestyle: Backyard activities such as barbecues and sporting events would be compromised
Hospitalisations from stings (in the US 14 million people are stung every year and over 100 people have died from anaphylactic shock)
Massive economic impact - if fire ants are not eradicated they could cost Australia $43 billion over next 30 years