Second-biggest biosecurity
operation in nation’s history sees $411m committed to eradicating invasive
species that threatens agriculture, wildlife, tourism and outdoor lifestyle
Wednesday 26 July
2017 19.16 BSTLast modified on Thursday 27 July 2017 01.58 BST
They are one of the world’s worst
invasive species, and now, more than two decades after they are believed to
have arrived in Australia, the country is launching the second-biggest
biosecurity operation in its history to eradicate red imported fire ants.
State, territory and federal
agricultural ministers met in Melbourne on Wednesday and agreed to
spend $411.4m over the next 10 years, endorsing a biosecurity
operation second only in size and ambition to the country’s successful
eradication of bovine tuberculosis, which started in the 1970 and took nearly
three decades.
The eradication effort has been
spearheaded by an unlikely alliance of environmentalists and farmers, who are
equally concerned about the devastating effects the ants would have on
Australia’s lifestyle, economy and environment if they become established.
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