Senate debates

Monday, 15 November 2010

Questions without Notice

Plague Locusts

2:51 pm

Photo of Michael ForshawMichael Forshaw (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister inform the Senate of the current state of grain crops in Australia?

Photo of Joe LudwigJoe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank Senator Forshaw for his question. I know he maintains an interest in the agriculture portfolio. The Gillard government is working closely with states and territories on the issue of plague locusts. I recently met with my state counterparts from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia to discuss the national situation for a collective response to this threat. This season could see some areas of Victoria facing their worst locust infestation for up to 75 years. With half a million hectares already affected, this year’s outbreak puts at risk a $2 billion crop in Victoria alone. Managing this threat and limiting the damage can only be achieved through a concerted and collaborative effort between government agencies and individual landholders.

To prepare for the actions required to minimise locust damage to crops and pastures in these areas, the Australian Plague Locust Commission, agencies from the affected states and national interest groups have been working positively to develop and implement an integrated response plan. Large swarms of locusts were present over wide areas of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia in autumn—that is, between April and May 2010—and established egg beds which have now hatched across these three states. Well-defined areas of operation have been established by the Australian Plague Locust Commission and state agencies to ensure effective coverage of infected areas. Resourcing of the response, including aircraft availability and pesticide supplies, has been addressed with plans established for these agencies to collectively treat up to 2.5 million hectares of infestation. Aerial control by the Australian Plague Locust Commission had treated a total area of not more than 54,000 hectares by 11 November. (Time expired)

Photo of Michael ForshawMichael Forshaw (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. The minister referred to plague locusts. I ask the minister to advise the Senate of the risk that the plague locusts pose to Australia’s crop production.

Photo of Joe LudwigJoe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | | Hansard source

I am pleased to say the prospects for the forthcoming winter and summer crops in Australia are favourable. Winter grain crops in the eastern states are in a very positive position after receiving good rainfall over the July-August period, and further rainfall over the eastern parts of Australia for most of September has boosted yield expectations. Given the favourable seasonal conditions in the eastern states, ABARE-BRS is forecasting winter crop production to be around 40.7 million tonnes in 2010, which is 16 per cent higher than last season.

The federal government is committed to minimising locust damage to crops and pastures. The Australian Plague Locust Commission, agencies from the affected states and national industry groups have been working together positively to develop and implement an integrated response plan, but I encourage farmers and landowners to regularly monitor their properties for hatching and report all locust outbreaks to their local authorities to ensure that they already—(Time expired)

Photo of Michael ForshawMichael Forshaw (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Picking up the answer to my supplementary question, could the minister advise the Senate as to what measures are in place to combat this potential plague and how landholders can best contribute to that effort?

Photo of Joe LudwigJoe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | | Hansard source

The Gillard government, in partnership with the Queensland, New South Wales, Victorian and South Australian governments, fund the Australian Plague Locust Commission. The Australian Plague Locust Commission continues to provide updated information to state agencies and landholders to assist in their response efforts while also commencing the implementation of its own response plan. The commission has also provided training to state agencies to assist them in preparing an efficient and effective response to the impending locust threat. The states involved have worked hard and collaboratively to develop their own response plans, including education and support for landholders who continue especially to play a vital role in implementing an effective locust control response. While individual states are responsible for the first response in their territories, the commission will take an active role in coordinating the response where a plague is forecast to impact on multiple states. (Time expired)