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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-10-30 Daily Xml
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Biosecurity

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (12:20): I move:

That this house—

(a) notes the imperative importance of world-leading biosecurity measures for food and fibre security in South Australia with trade and exports;

(b) recognises that a whole-of-sector and state approach to biosecurity is crucial to the health and safety of our natural landscape and primary production; and

(c) acknowledges that South Australia's $18.5 billion agriculture, horticulture, fishing and forestry industries are best served by the management and eradication of invasive species.

An $18.5 billion primary industry sector is under attack now, more than ever. We have major biosecurity issues that have threatened South Australian producers, particularly over the last two years, under this current government's watch. We see varroa mite, and we are dealing with Queensland fruit fly, foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza and tomato virus, most recently. The spring weather is sweeping in, and those threats hit harder and are more difficult to manage.

Primary industries, food and agribusiness exports are worth $8.8 billion, and that accounts for 51 per cent of all South Australian merchandise exports. South Australia is a fierce competitor on the global exports stage, highly regarded for quality, premium export goods, but that reputation is seriously at risk. We currently see the varroa mite, one of the most serious global pests of honey bees. Australia was the only honey bee industry free of varroa mite until it was detected in New South Wales in 2022 and the federal government announced the transition from eradication to management. It is difficult, it is expensive and it has put a serious burden on South Australian beekeepers.

South Australia has more than 2,000 registered beekeepers, an industry worth $1.3 billion to the horticulture sector, and 85 per cent of that horticulture pollination service relies on those bees being disease free. Chaffey, the region I represent, is one of the premium food bowls of South Australia, and the pollination services rely on many of the commodities: citrus, stone fruit, almonds and many vegetables. The native landscape also relies on those pollination services. The almond industry has been dependent on the apiary industry for many, many decades. It is a billion-dollar industry and growing, and the industry is now providing serious buoyancy to the state's economy.

Almond growers pour millions into combating varroa mite and will continue to monitor and manage. Industry hires 60,000 to 70,000 hives at a time, and those pollination services traditionally are being used for pollination to increase crop and the health of that billion-dollar industry. But what I must say is that at $200 a hive it is a $14 million up-front cost before a single almond is picked, before a single tree is pollinated. The varroa mite has been an impending risk since mid-2022, but the management plan consultation has only opened in August of this year and closed last month. The YourSAy website does not even say that the consultation is under review yet.

The varroa incursion detected in Nangiloc near Mildura earlier this year is only a matter of kilometres from the South Australian border, which could then impact on small or large almond communities. Lindsay Point and much of the Riverland will see that pressure put on their borders. Sadly, I would say that the minister has been very slow to act, and there have been no additional resources and no additional surveillance. It has been painfully slow to consult with the industry and it has taken little action.

What I would call on the government to do now is to get really serious, take responsibility and act. We are approaching the upcoming almond season, and if we do see the varroa mite lock into our industry we will see losses of many, many tens of millions of dollars, and that will put the industry on the line. Far-reaching impacts on pollination-dependent industries, not just almonds, will see a serious decline in the state's economy.

South Australia has had serious pressure put on it through the Queensland fruit fly in the commercial production areas, particularly in the Riverland, but we have also seen Mediterranean fruit fly, which graced our doorsteps in metropolitan Adelaide. Many of the local residents here in Adelaide saw the burden that was put on them, and the responsibility that was put on them, to be responsible tree custodians and fruit tree managers.

What we saw was that people rallied. The government came in behind them and we saw the eradication of the Medfly, but sadly the Qfly, the Queensland fruit fly, is still upon us. It is still in our backyards in the Riverland. It is still in our commercial orchards and that is having a serious impact on that economy.

It is costing growers a significant amount of money not only to eradicate it but also for the impending treatment of that fruit, which reduces quality and shelf life and also reduces our credibility with our reputation of being fruit fly free. I would like everyone to say that in their head very quickly three times: 'fruit fly free'. If you can say it without twisting your tongue, you are doing pretty well.

Sadly, the 54 outbreaks in the Riverland are costing the regional economy dearly. Previously, that zero tolerance was enforced. I, as the minister of the day, put a zero tolerance in place. That was enforcing fines for bringing fruit into South Australia and it really did change the landscape of the many, many tonnes of fruit that were being confiscated at our border points. That has now been significantly reduced.

But we have to continue to work hard. The Queensland fruit fly is one of the world's most invasive pests and it continues to wreak havoc here in South Australia. There are now more outbreaks than ever. It really does show that we have to be vigilant. I am calling on landowners, whether they have a backyard fruit tree or whether they are a commercial fruit grower. We all must combat this together. It is all about not looking over the fence and saying, 'She'll be right. Someone else will do it.' It must be a team effort. It must be a state effort in this eradication program.

These properties being accessed by the liaison and fruit fly officers is starting to test people's patience. I am also asking the minister, whom I have met with on this a number of times, to have a review of the way that we are managing those entry points to properties, into people's backyards, so that we can continue to have a healthy relationship between government officials—those inspectors, those liaison officers—and landowners, so that we do not detract from and lose focus in what should be an all-in assault on Queensland fruit fly.

In the 2024 budget, we did see introduced funding for the continuation of that eradication. That is a welcome measure, but there also needs to be, as I said, a review of the way that the government's representatives are entering properties, so that we do have a healthy relationship and so that people are focused on eradicating fruit fly, not on the secondary impacts or the third time that these people come into backyards and create angst for those landowners.

As I said, it is up to growers, it is up to householders, it is up to every South Australian to play their part. If you are visiting the Riverland do not bring fruit into the Riverland, if you are looking to pick fruit from a backyard tree make sure that what you pick is what you eat, what you cook. It is a risk when you start transporting fruit around South Australia, no matter where you are taking it from, because there is every chance we could end up like Victoria and parts of New South Wales where there is not a backyard fruit tree that is not infested with larvae.

I have said this in this place a number of times now: there is nothing worse than biting into a peach full of maggots. I have done it. I have been a fruit grower for a lot of my life, and I have encountered what a fruit fly incursion means to my business. I have also experienced what a mouthful of maggots means to my psyche—and it is not good. I call on every South Australian: if you are visiting the Riverland do not take fruit, and if you are in the Riverland do not bring fruit out of the red areas, to make sure that the Riverland becomes fruit fly free once again.

Some of the other threats to biosecurity include avian influenza. The outbreak began in May, earlier this year; to date two million chickens have been euthanised and egg prices have got to an almost unsustainable level. However, the industry has advised that the ongoing risks of free-range poultry and exposure to wild bird populations will pose a risk, and the spring bird migrations pose an even greater threat. So I say to all who have backyard chickens and those who receive gifts from friends and family, please make sure you are using the eggs and chickens that do not pose a threat through avian influenza.

Foot-and-mouth disease is another significant risk to animal health and trade. Our local response systems have been put to the test since 2022, and the incursion in Indonesia has tested our borders. It just shows how unstoppable biosecurity problems can be. The call is that this government cannot do enough in making sure we have effective biosecurity measures in place and making sure they are protecting an $18.5 billion dollar industry from what could potentially continue to manifest itself. Once it is unchecked, once it has been let go, the government will have a significant cost—and that will be funded by taxpayers. So every South Australian must be vigilant with any biosecurity measure.

The minister has promised enhanced biosecurity measures, and since 2022 we have seen 300 livestock from across the state present on any given day at the Royal Adelaide Show. The minister's measure was to go down to Bunnings, buy floor mats, and pour disinfectant on them. That is not good enough. We are calling on the government to be more vigilant, to put more technology into addressing biosecurity measures so that we can actually give it our best shot, and not do some of these gratuitous measures we have seen.

There were sanitation mats at the Adelaide Airport. They have been removed, and why have they been removed? We need to make sure that the government is doing everything in its power to eradicate any form of biosecurity threat.

I must say that the health and safety of our primary production industry and our natural landscapes must be a priority, not just for the government but for every consumer of our primary sector here in South Australia. With 51 per cent of our total merchandise exports sitting within these industries, a whole of sector approach is crucial. We need to bring world-leading biosecurity policies and initiatives into our state so that we can actually address some of the vagaries, the government responses that are used to address the pressures on our borders.

The future of our $18.5 billion ag, horticulture, fishing and forestry industries is all within our hands. It is within the government's remit, it is within the hands of every consumer in South Australia, as I have said. What we must say is that the industries are feeling somewhat underdone. The government have put gratuitous measures in place and, as I said, there is a level of little confidence as to the importance of what biosecurity measures must be put in place.

We do have a role to play. Industry is at the table, the opposition is listening and at the table, and it is time for this government, it is time for industry—it is all about playing a collaborative approach in keeping our state and the Riverland, keeping all of South Australia, as a food producer of premium goods, taking advantage of the green credentials that we have.

It cannot be understated how important South Australia's green, clean credentials are. When exporting food to our global trading partners, they are looking for an advantage over other trading partners. Those trading partners in most cases have fruit, vegetables and products that have been treated and we need to get back to eradication biosecurity measures so that we can put food on the table three times a day, coming out of South Australian farms and industry to feed the world.

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (12:35): I rise to support the member for Chaffey's motion:

That this house—

(a) notes the imperative importance of world-leading biosecurity measures for food and fibre security in South Australia with trade and exports;

(b) recognises that a whole-of-sector and state approach to biosecurity is crucial to the health and safety of our natural landscape and primary production; and

(c) acknowledges that South Australia's $18.5 billion agriculture, horticulture, fishing and forestry industries are best served by the management and eradication of invasive species.

As I said, I do want to support this motion. Notwithstanding some of the commentary in the debate, I think biosecurity has generally been a matter of bipartisan support in this place and, as the member for Chaffey rightly pointed out, it is in fact everybody's problem. I want to acknowledge the member for Chaffey's commitment to biosecurity in his own electorate, and in particular his commitment to a fruit fly free South Australia.

The Malinauskas government takes the threat of biosecurity incursions seriously. That is why within the first nine months of coming to government we announced an additional $6.8 million over four years to help South Australia combat the increased risk of emergency animal diseases (EADs), such as foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever and lumpy skin disease.

We have seen in recent years increased detections in South-East Asia of several EADs, and this has significantly increased the biosecurity risks for Australia, prompting additional measures. The additional funding from the Malinauskas government will ensure that South Australia is prepared for and able to respond to any incursions, including:

the purchase of mobile laboratory facilities for rural areas;

training in response activities, such as disposal and decontamination;

purchase of emergency response units, including equipment for quarantine, sampling and decontamination; and

additional vets and animal health staff for risk assessment, diagnostic and coordination capacity, particularly with the regional veterinary workforce.

Since July 2022 $85 million has been spent by the biosecurity division within PIRSA, responding to biosecurity threats in our agricultural sector across South Australia. These include fruit fly, lens snail, locust, AVG, tomato virus, wild dogs and foxes, feral deer and feral pigs.

ForestrySA, with support from PIRSA, has continued eradication efforts on various outbreaks of giant pine scale in the north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. This is a disease which has the potential to significantly impact the forest industry's ability to grow.

It is estimated that an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease alone would cost the Australian livestock industry in excess of $80 billion. The state government is aware of the challenges and risks associated with invasive species; they continue to challenge our robust biosecurity system.

In recent times the state government has committed an additional $17.1 million to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, as part of a national funding agreement in the ongoing battle against what is arguably one of the world's most invasive pests, with outbreaks currently being experienced throughout Queensland. In the case of red fire ants, they have the potential to destroy crops and machinery and render yards, parks, reserves and farmland unusable.

The state government stands ready to meet the biosecurity challenges facing our state, and that is evidenced by the significant and ongoing support we are providing as a government to support our agricultural industries. I am happy to support the motion of the member for Chaffey.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (12:39): I rise to support this motion by the member for Chaffey:

That this house—

(a) notes the imperative importance of world-leading biosecurity measures for food and fibre security in South Australia with trade and exports;

(b) recognises that a whole-of-sector and state approach to biosecurity is crucial to the health and safety of our natural landscape and primary production; and

(c) acknowledges that South Australia’s $18.5 billion agriculture, horticulture, fishing and forestry industries are best served by the management and eradication of invasive species.

We do spend a lot of money in this state on biosecurity, and we should, to make sure that we can keep our production clean and green, and keep out the invasive species because we see the destruction of what happens when we do have incursions.

I look at the tomato virus issue, which is affecting many hundreds of jobs and affecting much income for producers, in facilities producing tomatoes, and I know that there is some progress now in fast-tracking the testing of the virus. Some of that can now be done here in South Australia, which is helpful, but it has taken a big turnaround in getting those results back when they were getting tested before. With the tomato virus issue it just shows that you need to respond quickly to get on top of it. It affects not only local sales but certainly those sales into other states around Australia.

We certainly have an issue with varroa mite, which is edging ever closer to South Australia; it is not that far away in Victoria. Our bees do a marvellous job in making sure that we have production, not just in dryland agriculture but in almond crops and other permanent plantations to make sure that we get the production with pollination and that kind of thing, and obviously even though the crops are very well down in the dryland areas, bees are crucial for that pollination of canola crops, bean crops and other crops.

I think I have mentioned here before about the damage that has happened to our crops, and I know there is a lot of canola that is being cut for hay, just to do something with the plant. Obviously, you have a fairly woody plant, and you either cut it for hay if you do not think it is going yield much, or you have to harvest the little bit that you think it might produce, notwithstanding the frost damage and the damage from the drought and dry conditions. That is having a significant impact on our farmers, who have to work under strict guidelines.

We see different things happening with production, where farms are inspected for the use of chemicals and other practices in regard to how they manage their cropping because, as has been mentioned, people overseas take notice of where our produce goes, where it is grown, and it is true paddock to plate. People like getting on their device and going 'click', and they can work out sometimes—if the full paddock to plate concept is taken on—where that beef was grown and where it was processed, and the full line-up of transport issues and whatever to get that onto the plate, into the restaurant or onto the supermarket shelves.

Our producers are always on the ball doing what they can to get things right, and I know it has been mentioned by the member for Chaffey about the fruit fly incursions in the Riverland. Certainly, we have had this in Hammond as well where we used to have not so much an incursion but we have been checking on the risk of fruit fly because we used to be a very major producer, especially of stone fruits, apricots, oranges and other fruits at Mypolonga. There is barely anything grown there anymore but we are certainly part of the program to making sure that we keep this state safe so that we can export our produce appropriately and still have that ability to export produce.

I note there has been tens and tens of millions of dollars spent in the Riverland. That has had to be done to make sure that we get the right outcomes because there can be issues with backyard trees or commercial operations and we just need to keep up the fight. We just cannot walk away and be like other states and say, 'Fruit fly is endemic.' I notice the sterile insect scheme, which has had a bipartisan approach, and that does great work in combating the threat of fruit fly. But we must keep up the flight—not the flight, the fight.

Talking about flight, we must keep up the fight against avian flu as well. We have seen what can happen interstate, with over two million chickens having to be euthanised. We started to see rationing of eggs and obviously the price of eggs go up. But the industry has reacted pretty well and I have not seen the shelves cleaned out completely. That has been extremely good for customers that at least you can purchase eggs. That is one that is very tough to beat because of, obviously, incursions of wild birds, and it is happening around the world where there are real issues with that, so you cannot take your foot off the pedal.

Another one is foot-and-mouth disease. It is not that far from us, to the north of our country. I am certainly well aware, when there was heightened risk only a couple of years ago in 2022 and we were concerned about the risk of that coming in from Indonesia. I actually did go to Bali for a few days that year, so it was front of mind, certainly as a politician.

Mr Whetstone: Bali belly.

Mr PEDERICK: No, I did not get Bali belly, but it was certainly front of mind. It was a good education on seeing how well—and they did do a great job—the Indonesians addressed the situation, the signage at the airport and other signage around the place that stressed that this is a major issue. It was in your face, and they inspected our bags before leaving the country. Certainly, I saw the issue of the mats firsthand, the mats that were there to assist in the program at Adelaide Airport. We were questioned on our way back, but I made sure that the team I was with on that trip were there literally cleaning the soles of boots and shoes, anything we had worn, with water and a toothbrush and some antiseptic to make sure that we did not bring anything home.

We must just be vigilant and keep up the vigilance because we have primary industries that are suffering this year because of the dry. We have property identification codes to assist people in identifying where stock come from. Now we have the introduction of the electronic eartags, which is extremely expensive as far as sheep are concerned. I think about $3 a head is the price touted for those eartags. Some people have suggested that perhaps there could be relief from that price if the government take up the bill while we hopefully ease out of this drought situation at the minute.

Industry does take this very seriously and certainly at our borders. I used to have a border at Pinnaroo in my electorate and certainly know what goes on there with the border controls with fruit fly. Having imported farm machinery from Western Australia, I am well aware of the clean-up requirements for getting especially harvesters through the border crossing into South Australia. It is something we can never rest from. We must be vigilant and make sure that this state can still grow its clean and green food and fibre to profit into the future.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (12:49): In closing, thank you to those who have made a contribution. The member for Elizabeth I am sure has a peach tree or an orange tree in his backyard in Adelaide, but I know the member for Hammond obviously has a wealth of experience in a regional setting and represents people with food producing activities right around the electorate of Hammond.

Just touching on some of the areas of real concern, planting material coming into the country has put pressure on many industries. Obviously in South Australia we have a proud reputation for being phylloxera-free. That is a disease or a nematode that attacks the root system of vines. We make some of the world's best wines in South Australia and so that has been a concern.

Greening in citrus is wiping out large orchards right around the world and is something we need to combat. Seed stock has sadly reared its head with the tomato virus at Two Wells in recent times. The pollination services, particularly with varroa mite, is something that we need to be very vigilant about, and imported foods, particularly meat and smallgoods and fish products, particularly the fresh product coming into our country, and livestock has also seen pressure put on our borders like never before. Forestry is another one with our timber products and pine scale has been mentioned. Coming into South Australia, the movement of machinery has also been of paramount importance. We need to bring clean machines and prickle-free tyres into South Australia.

However, what I do want to touch upon is border security. There has never been more pressure on our borders in the history of this country. We are now seeing more products, more equipment, more people coming into South Australia and into Australia who are putting on more and more pressure. It is a collaboration with industry and government and, as an industry, as a state, as a nation, we all have a role to play. I commend the motion to the house.

Motion carried.

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