Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, the Hon David Littleproud MP
Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries; Minister for Rural Communities, the Hon. Mark Furner MP
The Australian Government is providing $998,000 to Queensland for two projects to improve the landscape scale management of navua sedge and feral pigs, through a Federation Funding Agreement with states and territories as part of the $30.3 million Established Pest Animals and Weeds Management Pipeline Program.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said the funding would be used for research into control options for navua sedge and to improve the capacity for effective management of feral pigs in northern Australia.
"One project aims to develop best practice protocols to manage navua sedge, a vigorous weed that grows in south-east Queensland and the tropics," Minister Littleproud said.
"The project will evaluate the efficacy of herbicide control and investigate biological control options.
"The second project will support coordination of feral pig management in key areas of Queensland, using demonstration sites to test monitoring and control strategies based on research into feral pig behaviour.
"By validating feral pig monitoring, control tools and strategies, we are making sure farmers and land managers are getting the best bang-for-buck for their efforts in managing these destructive pests.
Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the funding will help manage two major pests.
"Agriculture is an essential industry and a vital part of Queensland's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, and controlling pests supports our farmers to be their best," Mr Furner said.
"Navua sedge is an aggressive and unpalatable weed that affects Queensland beef and dairy operations by replacing edible tropical pastures.
"Feral pigs are a serious agricultural pest that damage crops, threaten livestock, and degrade Queensland's natural environment," Mr Furner said.
"Australia has some of the most resilient farmers in the world and they do a great job at managing the impact of pest animals and weeds on their land, Minister Littleproud said.
"However, we recognise that there is a need to improve the skills and capacity of farmers and land managers, and the tools available to them, to better manage pest animals and weeds."
Minister Littleproud acknowledged the Queensland's governments and its project partners contributions, providing more than $925,000 to support the projects.
"These projects are a great example of how strong collaboration across governments and land managers can improve the management of established pest animals and weeds, said Minister Littleproud.
"The Australian Government's $5 million in funding, supported by cash and in-kind contributions from the states and territories, will deliver 11 projects across Australia to improve the management of established pest animals and weeds that have a detrimental effect on Australia's agricultural competitiveness and the environment."
The Australian Government's $30.3 million Established Pest Animals and Weeds Management Pipeline Program aims to deliver a lasting legacy to farmers, land managers and the wider community in the fight against established pest animals and weeds."
