Weeds and pests
Weeds
Queensland's weed problem costs agriculture in excess of $600 million per annum, and the Australian economy an estimated $4 billion.
Weeds have a major impact on rural industry profitability with an estimated 14 per cent of farm revenue spent on weed control.
65 per cent of Australia's weeds are escapees from parks and gardens with only 7 per cent attributed to poor agricultural practice.
Biosecurity Queensland plays an active role in weed management across the state including:
- declaring major weeds under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
- coordinating eight of the 20 Weeds of National Significance
- minimising spread of weed seeds by implementing the Queensland Weed Spread Prevention Strategy
- responding to new incursions of major invasive weeds and assessing new threats
- conducting research and increasing public awareness about controlling and eradicating weeds.
Pest animals
Pest animals are estimated to cause losses to Queensland agriculture of $110 million annually.
Feral pigs alone are estimated to reduce grain production by $12 million per annum, and wild dogs cost the state approximately $33 million annually.
Biosecurity Queensland plays an active role in pest animal management across the state including:
- declaring major pest animals under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
- managing pest and problem animals by implementing theQueensland Pest Animal Strategy
- responding to new incursions of invasive pest animals
- developing, monitoring and enforcing animal welfare policy, legislation and standards, and educating the community about animal welfare
- maintaining the Wild Dog Barrier Fence
- conducting research and increasing public awareness about pest animal management.
For more information visit the Biosecurity Queensland web site (part of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries)
Last updated 16 December 2008