Media Release

KAP Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter is shocked to learn ‘white spot’ disease has entered Australia and threatens our prawn farming industry.

The disease has been reported in two farms south of Brisbane.

As State Minister, Mr Katter was responsible for attaining permits and land grant for the first prawn and fish farm in Australia, “we got 23 permits and licences through with my Northern Development Department,” said Mr Katter.

Mr Katter said, “We do not have white spot in Australia. White spot is a devastating disease in prawns and there is only one way it could have got here – through imported prawn product.

“All other ‘smart’ countries won’t import seafood from a country that has white spot.

“But we have some of the lowest quarantine protections in the world.

“Quite frankly I can’t think of anything that has been stopped from coming in.

“Out of probably 100 horticultural applications, all have been agreed too, similarly with seafood.

“Australia has for some time been a net importer of seafood. We pleaded with the authorities to refuse the application to bring in imported prawns. They brought in prawns. Now we have white spot.”

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