Red Imported Fire Ants

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (14:56): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing questions to the Minister for Primary Industries regarding fire ants.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.R. HOOD: The insidious red imported fire ant is highly aggressive and has devastating effects on both humans and animals due to its painful sting, swarming behaviour and ability to damage entire ecosystems and built environments. In the US, 14 million people are estimated to be attacked each year, with over 25,000 needing hospitalisation. The stings are extremely painful, often described as a severe burning sensation and developing itchy pustules. As with many venom stings, anaphylaxis is a danger.

From a livestock perspective, fire ants often target newborns, particularly calves, lambs, and poultry chicks. They swarm into the eyes, nostrils, and mouths of newborns, sometimes causing blindness or even death. In the same way, wild ground nesting birds, small animals, marsupials, small reptiles and amphibians are vulnerable. Even our domestic pets can suffer these same attacks. My questions to the Minister for Primary Industries are:

1. How frequently is PIRSA conducting live surveillance for fire ants, particularly in high-risk areas such as transport hubs, nurseries and ag regions?

2. Has South Australia conducted fire ant incursion simulations or emergency response drills to test its readiness?

3. What specific restrictions are in place to prevent fire ant contaminated material such as soil, mulch, turf and ag products from entering South Australia?

4. What is the level of public awareness regarding fire ants in South Australia and is there a targeted educational campaign for farmers, gardeners and transport operators?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:57): I thank the honourable member for his questions. It is quite true that fire ants are a terrible pest, and the sorts of impacts that they can have on humans, on livestock and indeed on a number of other areas are very significant.

I visited the Queensland fire ant centre, I think early last year or it may have been the year before, to see firsthand the work that is happening there. Fire ants have not been detected in South Australia, but they are present in Queensland and in New South Wales and they are part of a nationally cost-shared eradication program.

The vectors for fire ants potentially getting into South Australia include things like machinery and other equipment, soil, hay, mulch, manure, quarry products, turf, potting materials and potted plants. That is why we, of course, have such strict biosecurity requirements in South Australia.

In July last year, there was a national agricultural ministers' meeting endorsement of a national response plan and also a work plan, and that also noted the national budget implication of $593 million for the new response plan. That is the full cost of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program and it illustrates, I think, both the commitment of governments to eradicate fire ants but also the scale of the challenge. It is a significant one. We have seen the area that has been experiencing fire ants expanding in Queensland and into northern New South Wales and that, of course, is a significant concern. Last year, I wrote to the federal minister and the Queensland minister confirming the South Australian contribution.

In terms of the arrangements, governance arrangements have transitioned from the independent steering committee to arrangements that are more closely aligned with those for a response under the National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement. That includes the establishment of a national management group, a formation of a National Biosecurity Management Consultative Committee, and that comprises both the previous steering committee and also national exotic, invasive and scientific advisory group members. There was a revised risk management and assurance committee and formation of a program board. That board's membership includes a representative from the national cost-share partners.

Key highlights from the most recent report on that include the launch of a news and events section on the fire ants website, and an industry council meeting was held talking about the expenditure for the financial year to date being within budget, and the implementation of a compliance and enforcement strategy. That is based on an intelligence-led and risk-based model, focusing on enhancing capabilities of the compliance unit to target potential high-risk noncompliance.

There are a number of other measures that are being taken. I certainly remember, I think it was at the nursery association event that I attended, I think it was last year, discussions around how we can further get the message out into the nursery industry. Other biosecurity measures, of course, are continually reviewed to ensure that they are doing the best possible to stop this pervasive pest from making its way into South. Australia.