The NSW Nationals are calling on the Minns Labor Government to do more to protect the state’s primary industries by boosting biosecurity funding in the upcoming budget.
Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders has met farmers at the Murwillumbah saleyards on the North Coast, where the highly invasive cattle tick is causing concern.
He said a lack of investment over the last two years is hampering our ability to respond to major agricultural threats.
“Cattle tick is an extremely dangerous parasite that can lead to sickness and even death in affected animals, but the Minns Government doesn’t seem to be taking it seriously,” Mr Saunders said.
“If it became endemic in NSW it would cost the cattle industry $32 million a year, so we need to make sure the focus is put back on the cattle tick program, and that needs to include adequate funding and resources for things like dips.
“When it comes to biosecurity this government has failed at every hurdle and last year’s budget didn’t include any new money to protect our fishers and farmers, but just recycled the leftovers from the previous year.
“With cattle tick spreading, red fire ants marching deeper into NSW, varroa mite impacting our bees, and foot and mouth disease knocking at the door, this is the time to boost our defence against invasive pests and provide certainty to the Ag sector.”
Concerns have also been raised about the potential to move to a self-managed cattle tick program, as tick fever cases rise across the Far North Coast.
Local Farmer Anna Gilliland said when the data is showing an increase in outbreaks and deaths, stricter measures need to be taken.
“The Cattle Tick Program is to control and eradicate cattle tick. When compulsory dipping was in place this pest was effectively controlled, but now there are only 7 active dips in the region including Murwillumbah after the measure was discontinued in 1995,” Mrs Gilliland said.
“Reactivating 34 lapsed dips should be considered to strengthen control measures, and more boots on the ground are desperately needed to implement the Cattle Tick program processes, support farmers and ensure compliance.
“The NSW border serves as a key buffer against ticks coming in from Queensland but farmers are sometimes experiencing months-long delays to start treatment, which raises serious concerns.
“Without stronger oversight tick outbreaks could worsen, which is why the government needs to reassess the program and implement stronger biosecurity measures before the situation deteriorates even further.”
