Australian Greens
Tamara Smith MP, Greens Member for Ballina, is calling on the Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty to take further action to eradicate red-imported fire ants in the Northern Rivers Region.
Fire ants were recently discovered by a local farmer in Wardell, just months after they were sighed in Murwillumbah further north.
Ms Smith is particularly concerned that construction materials, imported at increasing rates following the 2022 floods, have enabled more ways for fire ants to be quickly transported across long distances.
Residents who suspect they have seen fire-ants should call the Department of Primary Industries on 1800 680 244, or go to the DPI website at https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/bfs/insect-pests/rifa
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