March 10, 2025
AgForce Qld has reacted angrily to reported moves to list buffel grass as a Weed of National Significance.
Buffel, which is widely planted in Queensland to improve pastures, was declared a weed in the Northern Territory in 2024, meaning land managers are required to manage its spread.
However, the declaration stopped short of requiring its eradication.
Critics say buffel is highly inflammable and claim it fuelled major bushfires in the Northern Territory in 2023.
AgForce Cattle Board president Lloyd Hick said the push to list buffel as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) would have severe consequences for Queensland’s beef industry and broader agriculture.
“If listed, buffel could face legislative restrictions, removal requirements, and even biological control research aimed at eradicating it,” Mr Hick said.
“This is a direct threat to one of the most critical pasture species in Australia.
“The process has been anything but transparent. There is no confirmation on who has nominated buffel, and there is no formal appeal mechanism once a species is listed.
“A decision with such far-reaching consequences cannot be made behind closed doors.”
Mr Hick said buffel – which is native to tropical and sub-tropical Africa, India and Indonesia – is the “backbone” of Queensland grazing.
“It sustains the production of millions of kilos of beef that underpin domestic and international food security,” he said.
“Removing access to buffel would cripple the beef industry. Restricting seed supply would undermine pasture regeneration, and any move towards biological control would be catastrophic for entire grazing regions.
“The economic damage would be widespread, yet, and most critically, the nomination process fails to consider the production and financial consequences of its removal.
“The determination process is fundamentally flawed. The WoNS assessment only accounts for a plant’s negative environmental impact, completely disregarding its role in agriculture and broader food security. The consequences are permanent, no matter the cost to producers.
“Buffel also plays a vital role in landscape protection. It prevents soil erosion, reduces dust storms, and regenerates quickly after fire. At a time when sustainability reporting is becoming more complex, a WoNS listing would add unnecessary compliance burdens, affecting market access, financial approvals, and long-term property viability.
“This is a fight for the future of Queensland’s beef industry. AgForce is taking the lead, but this fight requires the full force of industry. We need producers to stand with us and act when needed to ensure this doesn’t go unchallenged.”
- Related article: Farmers Rush To Defend Buffel
