Back to Main WA Public Plays Key Role In State Biosecurity

• Published: 2009-12-17 11:17:57

  10 December 2009

  The Department of Agriculture and Food has commended the Western Australian public for helping guard the State’s environment and primary industries against exotic pests.

  The department’s Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) spokesman Marc Widmer said Western Australians had been diligent in reporting potential exotic pest infestations.

  “During the past 18 months, PaDIS has received more than 17,000 inquiries resulting in 80 reports of declared pests,” Mr Widmer said.

  “We responded to three cases involving live exotic drywood termites and other serious incursions, such as European wasps and exotic wood borers.”

  Mr Widmer said the public, along with the pest control industry and local businesses, played an essential role in reporting incursions of exotic pests and diseases.

  “Public vigilance has definitely helped prevent the establishment of pests that could otherwise cause major problems for the State’s agriculture, public amenity and environment,” he said.

  “Early detection is the key in dealing with exotic pests because it increases the chances of successful eradication and greatly reduces the cost of eradication programs.

  “By reporting the presence of European wasps in an area, the public has helped keep WA free of this dangerous pest, with hundreds of wasp nests destroyed over the years. We have also received reports of tropical fire ants.

  “If any of these had gone undetected they would have been very damaging for the WA environment and rural industries. Reports of these pests have potentially saved the WA economy hundreds of millions of dollars.”

  Mr Widmer said PaDIS was a service unique to WA, which offered free identifications and advice to the public and the pest control industry.

  “PaDIS actively engages the public and encourages broad scale involvement in Western Australia’s biosecurity,” he said.

  The PaDIS freecall number is 1800 084 881.
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  Supplied by Department Of Agriculture And Food WA