A review of Australia’s biosecurity arrangements has highlighted the need for much greater focus on protecting the natural environment from invasive species.
Archive | 2014
Feral deer could occupy nearly all of Australia
New research has found that almost nowhere in Australia is safe from growing feral deer numbers, with future mapping showing the animals could occupy most of the continent, including the interior.
Tasmanian bumblebee decision defies the evidence
A Senate environment committee that endorsed the commercial use of Tasmanian feral bumblebees seemed oblivious to the serious impacts this invasive species can cause.
Fire ant funding approved, but still a hard road ahead
A spate of fire ant discoveries in Queensland has set alarm bells ringing, but instead we should treat them as a sign the new eradication program is beginning to hit its straps.
Biosecurity roundtables: the conversation is starting
Environmental biosecurity might still be a mouthful for most Australians, but it is gaining traction within government circles, and needs to become a much greater focus when we talk about protecting the nation from future environmental threats.
Fire ant fight 2.0: A battle we must win
On Wednesday, 26 July, Australia’s agriculture ministers signed off on a new, $411 million eradication program. Fire ant fight 2.0 is a fight we must win.
Shake-up would put environmental threats on equal footing
A five-year review could shake-up Australia’s biosecurity arrangements, finally putting environmental pests and diseases on a par with agricultural and human health threats.
Browsing ants: an environmental time bomb
Tick, tick, tick. That’s the sound of invasive browsing ants, an environmental time bomb if they have escaped eradication efforts in Darwin.
New fire ant discovery a wake-up call
Biosecurity Queensland received a rude shock recently when deadly fire ants turned up 70km north of Brisbane’s containment zone.
Why it’s so important to clean our gear
While keeping your gear clean may feel like a chore, it can actually go a long way in helping to keep our parks and reserves free of weeds and soil-borne diseases, says bushwalk leader Caro Ryan.
Environmental biosecurity. It’s back on the agenda
Securing Australia’s agricultural industries from dangerous new invasive species has long been the top priority in our biosecurity systems, but when it comes to environmental risks we haven’t fared so well. Well, that’s starting to change.
Animal eco-warriors to the rescue
Biosecurity beagles in Hobart, dogs sniffing out orange hawkweed in the alps and a terrier with a penchant for cat eradication are just some of the animal eco-warriors you will meet in a new book by Nic Gill.
Seven fire ant essentials
We led the call for governments across the country to fully fund the complete eradication of red fire ants from Australia. Now we look at how the program can get the job done.
People power brings rainforest back to life
A locally-led campaign to eradicate yellow crazy ants has resulted in native wildlife finally returning to wet tropics rainforest just north of Cairns.
NSW government baulks at pest reform
The NSW government has failed to properly address the growing threat of feral deer, eradication of red-eared slider turtles or the spread of redfin perch.
