Consultation will begin this month to determine a new cattle tick line as the government confirmed it will move to a two-tick zone.
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Bill Byrne said every effort would be made to locate the tick line in the most sustainable or defendable position utilising buffers, including environmental, natural or man-made features.
Shadow agriculture minister Deb Frecklington is critical that it has taken the government nine months to address tick line regulations.
“I’ve been told that three local South Burnett producers have already been consulted by Biosecurity Qld. Given the I have pushed for proper consultation for this process, I would hope that more than three people get an opportunity to consult, because there are hundreds of producers out there who need to have their say,” Ms Frecklington said.
“We need an open and transparent process, inclusive of all those who are affected by the final decision. I would also like to see the Minister personally be a part of this consultation being run by Biosecurity Queensland so he can directly hear from producers.”
Ms Frecklington said there was a sense of urgency amongst graziers living along the line as they knew the Biosecurity Bill would come into force in July 2016, she said.
It was disappointing that graziers had to wait this long to learn the future of the tick line and how it would be maintained, she added.
“This issue is especially critical for much of my own Electorate of Nanango as the tick line runs right through the middle of the region.
“For this reason, I held my own meeting in September, to help give local producers a say and nearly 45 producers from Cooyar to Durong attended.
“Tick control and eradication is a major cost and effort for people along the line and they deserve the best chance to have their say on these new regulations and location of the line.
Ms Frecklington said she was pleased to see that keeping the status quo is not one of the options being considered, but says there is still little information about the need for better enforcement and more Research and Development.
“We all know that tick resistance is becoming a serious problem, so I will be keenly examining what Labor is planning to tackle that issue as well,” she said.
Last year, the Newman government suggested proposed changes to the biosecurity regulations, in particular the management of ticks, and public submissions were called to address three options.
Last week, the government confirmed it will support option two - to create two biosecurity zones - infested and free - with movement restriction on livestock;
AgForce’s cattle president Bim Struss said the peak industry body supported the move to two-tick zones in Queensland and a risk-based approach for the movement of cattle across the zones.
“We think we need to provide financial and technical support for those producers along the tick line for their effort in providing a front-line approach,” Mr Struss said.
“Those blokes have been doing a tremendous job holding the tickline.”
Mr Struss said incentives for those doing the right thing, along with “real disincentives” for those who were not, needed to be provided.
“What I would suggest is that the department needs to be a lot stronger and that there is a robust management of the new rules.”
Although there have been no decisions on where the tick line will be, Mr Struss said he thought there would be some movement that works in with geographical elements, such a highways and double-fence lines.
“As soon as the government comes out with what they say will be the case, then AgForce will step out and talk to producers to determine what is best for industry.”
Mr Struss said AgForce would hold open meetings for all producers, not just its members.
