{"id":302668,"date":"2021-07-20T09:49:13","date_gmt":"2021-07-19T23:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=302668"},"modified":"2021-07-20T21:21:07","modified_gmt":"2021-07-20T11:21:07","slug":"new-rules-target-tiny-beetle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/07\/20\/new-rules-target-tiny-beetle\/","title":{"rendered":"New Rules Target Tiny Beetle"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
The tiny Khapra beetle (Photo: DAWE)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 20, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shipping containers packed in countries identified as high-risk for\u00a0khapra beetles must now undergo treatment offshore if they are to be unpacked in a\u00a0rural grain-growing area in Australia.<\/p>\n

The move, which came into force on July 12, is the latest phase of a string of urgent actions being taken by the Federal Government against the invasive pest.<\/p>\n

Department of Agriculture spokesperson\u00a0Andrew Tongue said the measure was an important step in keeping Australia free from khapra beetle.<\/p>\n

Khapra beetles (Trogoderma granarium<\/em>) are native to India but have spread\u00a0to many parts\u00a0of the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.<\/p>\n

The tiny beetles infest stored grain.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlobal markets rely on international trade, and Australia is no exception,\u201d Mr Tongue said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what we don\u2019t want is contaminants and pests hitching a ride into Australia on sea containers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe khapra beetle is Australia\u2019s number two national priority plant pest, and for very good reasons.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a highly invasive pest that poses a major threat to Australia\u2019s grains industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe beetle destroys grain, making it unfit for consumption for humans and animals, and it also poses a health risk, causing stomach, breathing and skin irritation issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cAround 80 per cent of our grain exports would be at risk if we were to have a khapra beetle outbreak, and it would cost our economy $15.5 billion over 20 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t risk complacency. Khapra beetles can live for several years without food \u2013 it will hide undetected in cracks and under the floors of sea containers.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone needs to play their part to protect Australia\u2019s biosecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n

External links: <\/strong><\/p>\n