October 28, 2015
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington – the Shadow Minister for Agriculture – has welcomed news this week that consultations about the new tick line regulations are finally underway.
She said producers had been waiting nine months for the State Government to do something, however she was pleased her lobbying on the issue had brought about some action.
Mrs Frecklington called her own tick line meeting in Kingaroy in September to help give local producers a say, which was attended by nearly 45 producers from Cooyar to Durong.
“I’ve been told that three local South Burnett producers have already been consulted by Biosecurity Queensland,” she said.
“Given the fact 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.
“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.
“As I’ve said previously, there is a sense of urgency amongst graziers living along the line as they know the Biosecurity Bill will come into force on July 1, 2016, and it is disappointing that graziers have had to wait this long to learn the future of the tick line and how it will be maintained.
“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.
“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 the location of the line.”
Mrs Frecklington said she was pleased to see that keeping the status quo was not one of the options being considered but said there was 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.
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