The New South Wales state of Australia has amended its biosecurity order by adding additional requirements for turf.
In addition to previous instruction, the updated NSW Biosecurity Order (No. 14) 2024 now includes the following requirements:
A person must not carry out a controlled movement of turf unless:
- (f) the turf is labelled with the following information: “This turf is from an area where fire ants have been present or known to be present, if this turf is laid in New South Wales, it must be treated with an APVMA approved chemical for the control of fire ants immediately after laying”, and
- the turf must remain labelled in accordance with subclause (f) until it is laid, and the turf is accompanied by a plant health certificate certifying that the measures in subclauses (a), (c) and (f) have been met.
In a message from Turf Australia to its members, the industry association called on its members to familiarise themselves with the updated orders.
Read the biosecurity emergency order
Turf Queensland calls for review
Elsewhere in Australia, Turf Queensland is calling for a review of red imported fire ant programme failures. The recent detection of fire ants in a turf delivery from Queensland, despite compliance efforts by the turf grower involved, highlights the need for significant programme improvements.
The turf farmer had followed all required biosecurity measures and paperwork and was diligent in their immediate actions, notifying NSW DPI upon becoming aware of their presence. Both the NSW DPI and Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) have praised the turf grower for their adherence to biosecurity protocols, underscoring that the grower had “done everything by the book.”
“This situation emphasises the importance of a fresh look at the programme,” says Natalie Scalisi, from Turf Queensland. “Growers are working hard to comply, following every requirement to maintain safe interstate turf movement, yet we are still seeing breakdowns in containment. It’s clear the system needs greater support and oversight to prevent incidents like these. It is the ineffective management of the suppression zone that has seen RIFA populations skyrocket, with growers within the suppression zone waging a losing battle when surrounding areas remain untreated.”
Swift action
The NSW Government’s RIFA Biosecurity Team acted swiftly, with detection dogs and biosecurity officers on site within hours. In collaboration with NSW, the National Fire Ant Eradication Programme has initiated an investigation into how the certified turf transported from Queensland came to contain fire ants. The turf industry is committed to maintaining biosecurity, yet systemic failures in pest containment underscore the need for Minister Perrett to engage with industry stakeholders to review and strengthen the programme.
The association calls on Minister Perrett to ensure that the National Fire Ant Eradication Programme actively incorporates input from the turf industry, whose members navigate biosecurity compliance daily. Industry stakeholders have recommended practical actions, including reviewing the efficacy of APVMA-approved treatments and conducting chemical trials on turf farms to explore alternative treatment options. Turf growers have even offered their farms as testing sites for these trials. However, despite these proactive efforts, another incursion has occurred, underscoring the need for stronger, more effective measures. If growers are fully compliant, yet RIFA continues to spread, then the current system is falling short, and this failure ultimately impacts the state, the nation, and the growers themselves.
Turf Queensland remains steadfast in its call for improvements to the RIFA programme, advocating for a system that protects Queensland small businesses, their interstate clients, and the biosecurity of Australia’s valuable ecosystems.