Media Release

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter is seeking intervention from the Federal Government to stop the Qld Government’s axing of a vital program to eradicate one of the world’s most invasive weeds, which could wipe out North Queensland’s agricultural industries.

Mr Katter has asked Federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig to ensure the continuation of funding and front-line personnel for a long-running Siam weed eradication program following confirmation from the Qld Government that it was going to cut yet another service to North Qld.

“The Qld Government has told us that it will axe an eradication program that has been funded by Federal and State governments since 1994, when Siam was fist discovered in North Qld, because of so-called expert advice that the weed is ‘no longer technically feasible to eradicate’ because they cannot ‘confidently determine the extent of the infestation’ in several North Qld catchments,” said Mr Katter.

“There is a very real fear on the ground that this facile decision made by desk-bound bureaucrats to save money in the short-term will trigger the exponential spread of Siam and develop into an insurmountable problem for our producers.

“They are extremely concerned that the decision to move from eradication to the mere ‘management’ of this Class One weed poses a major threat, given the history of infestation on agricultural lands in other countries.

“In their opinion, there is every possibility for eradication in the catchment’s dry areas, and that this could also be achieved in the Wet Tropics with the dedicated personnel and sufficient funds.

“But to give up now, after almost two decades of fighting this weed, cannot be described as anything less than an exercise in stupidity.”