Farmers have welcomed a fresh crackdown on biosecurity breaches as the state escalates its campaign against the devastating Red Imported Fire Ants.

Two businesses have been fined $60,000 in the NSW Local Court for bringing soil, turf, and compost into the state from Queensland’s fire ant-infested area without certification.

NSW Farmers’ Biosecurity Committee Chair Tony Hegarty said the latest breach of biosecurity laws had put NSW at great risk, with fire ants presenting a $60 billion threat to the nation.

“There are serious consequences for those found breaching our biosecurity laws – and for good reason,” Mr Hegarty said.

“NSW remains fire ant free for now, but if this pest finds its way into the state, our whole community will need to radically change their way of life to prevent being stung by these horrific pests.”

The Western Plains App approached the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), which confirmed it had issued 23 Biosecurity Emergency Orders to protect NSW from fire ants by regulating the movement of high-risk

materials such as turf, soil, mulch, compost, and plants from Queensland’s infested areas.

“With more than 95 per cent of Australia considered suitable habitat for fire ants, people in western NSW are encouraged to remain vigilant, especially when moving carrier materials.

"A fire ant incursion in the west would be a result of human-assisted movement,” a spokesperson said.

Preventing the establishment of fire ants in NSW requires the department to monitor and act on high-risk carrier movements and sites.

The spokesperson highlighted key efforts, including:

• 1385 community reports of suspect ants, with 1218 reports analyzed by scientists since December 2023.

• 410 high-risk NSW locations surveyed since December 2023.

• More than 12,900 Record of Movement declarations received since December 2023.

• More than 2200 calls received on the NSW Biosecurity Helpline.

• Intelligence shared from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP).

• Operation Victa’s four compliance operations, which stopped 352 vehicles at the QLD-NSW border.

• Ongoing industry engagement, including tracing and compliance activities.

• Biosecurity surveillance cameras at the border.

• Analysis and modelling of movement data and habitat suitability to identify high-risk hotspots.

• Tracing and surveillance of high-risk carrier movements based on compliance activities.

• Ongoing risk assessment of fire ant carrier materials from Queensland’s infested areas.

• Surveillance and risk monitoring of NSW fire ant-infested premises at Murwillumbah and Wardell.

NSW Farmers’ Biosecurity Committee Chair Tony Hegarty says fire ants are a huge risk to our biosecurity.

The department confirmed that the suspension of turf movements from Queensland’s fire ant-infested areas into NSW would remain in place until investigation and compliance work are complete.

In the event of a high-risk incursion, the department can establish an incident management team and emergency response within hours, mobilising urgent resources and support.

What Are Fire Ants?

Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) are invasive and destructive ants native to South America.

They are small (two - six millimetres long), reddish-brown with darker abdomens, and have varying-sized worker ants within a nest.

These aggressive ants swarm in large numbers and sting repeatedly when disturbed.

Their nests can range from flat patches to soil mounds up to 40cm high, with no visible entry or exit holes.

If established, fire ants could cost Australia $2.2 billion annually.

DPIRD advises anyone who suspects fire ants to:

• LEAVE IT: Do not destroy or treat the nest; fire ants are prohibited matter in NSW.

• SNAP IT: Take a clear photo or video for identification.

• CALL IT: Report sightings to 1800 680 244 or online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fire-ants.

More information is available via the Biosecurity Helpline at 1800 680 244 or online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fire-ants.

Government Crackdown and Prosecutions

To strengthen efforts against fire ants, NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty introduced a turf movement ban from Queensland’s infested areas in mid-November last year.

Recent successful prosecutions demonstrate the Government’s crackdown on rogue businesses spreading fire ants.

The first landscaping supply business, Brytarbri Pty Ltd (trading as Allenview Turf), was convicted on January 29 of nine offences for moving soil, turf underlay, and compost into NSW from Queensland without the required biosecurity certificates.

The second business, Marlyn Compost, was convicted on February 7 of 20 offences under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 for moving turf into NSW without certification.

So far, four waves of Operation Victa have resulted in:

• Eight penalty notices issued and three warnings.

• 352 vehicles stopped, including 156 from fire ant-infested areas.

• 12 vehicles ordered back to Queensland for failing certification requirements.

• Fire ant sniffer dogs deployed in Kyogle and Tweed Valley to monitor trucks, landscaping sites, and properties.

NSW Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, reinforced the government’s commitment to keeping NSW fire ant-free.

“There will be no sympathy for businesses that flout biosecurity controls and threaten our state’s land, homes, and farms with fire ants.

The full force of the law will be applied to show this is serious and will not be tolerated,” Ms Moriarty said.