Queensland horticulture body Growcom has warned the state is not well prepared for invasions by exotic pests, but a draft biosecurity plan being discussed with the Queensland government is looking “pretty productive”.
Growcom chief advocate Mark Panitz cited a 2004 citrus canker outbreak as an example of the state’s unpreparedness, the Sunshine Coast Daily reports.
“Queensland has historically had more pest incursions than other states, so it's absolutely critical we get biosecurity in Queensland done properly,” he said.
“Biosecurity incursions don't just affect farmers, but they have flow-on effects to the communities in which there are problems.”
The new biosecurity plan has looked specifically at exotic pest risks raised by changing environmental conditions.
