Review of Skeleton Weed Program Seeks Public Advice
Media release : 19th January 2009
The State's grains industry has until 17 April to comment on the recommendations, that the WA Skeleton Weed Program be replaced with a major extension effort.
Commissioned by the Agriculture Protection Board (APB) in July 2008, the review examined the performance of the program over the past five crop years and provided recommendations for its future direction.
APB chair Chris Richardson said the review of the Skeleton Weed Program was conducted by an independent panel, chaired by Terry Enright and included grower representatives from the WA Farmers Federation, Pastoral and Graziers Association, APB, industry and technical specialists.
“Following the Ministerial Review in 2002, a number of key changes were made to the existing skeleton weed program,” he said.
“Now that these changes have been in operation for five years, the panel examined whether significant progress towards eradication of the weed had resulted.”
Mr Richardson said the review found that with sufficient effort skeleton weed could be eradicated on an individual farm basis, as evidenced by 61 properties released in 2007/08.
“However, 63 new properties were identified as having skeleton weed in 2007/08, indicating that the weed continues to spread. The greatest increase in new findings was recorded in shires that had fewer infested properties previously,” he said.
“The review panel concluded skeleton weed is not eradicable from Western Australia and recommended that the Skeleton Weed Program should be wound down over a three year period, with skeleton weed becoming a fully grower-managed weed matter by the end of that period.”
Mr Richardson said the current program was at its operational limit, in terms of its ability to restrict the spread of skeleton weed, and further increases in the scale of the program would require massive financial and logistical support.
“While there is widespread support for the current effort, surveyed growers indicate clearly that they would resist an increase in levy and the panel findings indicate this would not be cost effective,” he said.
“The panel believes the vast amount of information gained over the past years, together with the up-to-date herbicide and rotation options should be developed into a major extension program.”
Hard copies of the final review report have been forwarded directly to all parties who made a submission to the review panel. A summary of the review process and recommendations will also be distributed to registered grain growers within WA.
Other interested parties can obtain a copy of relevant documentation by contacting Dalene Cronje at the Department of Agriculture and Food WA on phone (08) 9368 3162 or email dcronje@agric.wa.gov.au.
The report and summary can also be freely downloaded in electronic form from the department's website at http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/pw/weed/skeletonweed.htm.
Further comment on the review's findings and recommendations need to be submitted by 5pm, Friday 17 April 2009.
Submissions need to be clearly marked '2008 Skeleton Weed Program Review' and forwarded for Mrs Cronje's attention, Department of Agriculture and Food WA, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth WA 6151.
The APB will formally consider the review recommendations, and all other information presented during the public comment period, at its scheduled meeting in June 2009.
Media Contacts
| Chris Richardson, APB chair, 0428 175 591 | 0428 175 591 |
| Katrina Bowers/Lisa Bertram, media liaison | 9368 3937/9368 3325 |
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