Ministerial Statement

Khapra Beetle

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport, Minister for Racing) (14:01): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: The Australian and South Australian governments are responding to the detection of Khapra beetle larvae and adults in imported goods at two premises in Adelaide and one on Kangaroo Island.

Khapra beetle is an exotic pest of stored grain and dry foodstuffs worldwide. The national management group, comprising all Australian governments, affected plant industries, and Plant Health Australia, has endorsed a national Khapra beetle response plan to deliver further surveillance and control measures. The Australian government and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) are conducting the response.

The source of the Khapra beetle has been traced to a single consignment of imported plastic food-grade containers. All detected larvae and beetles have been destroyed, and there is strong confidence there has been no contact between the imported consignment and the grain supply chain. Surveillance and tracing activities are continuing, and no Khapra beetles or larvae have been found beyond the three affected premises in South Australia.

There is no change to Australia's pest status. Australia has a robust biosecurity system, with strict measures in place to reduce the risk that pests are introduced to Australia. This is a business-as-usual activity for the department as part of the national plant health system. Along with officers from Biosecurity SA, I have briefed the opposition, and I thank them for their cooperation and understanding on this very important matter.