Agriculture Victoria acting chief plant health officer Stephen Dibley said RIFA, or Solenopsis invicta, was one of the worst invasive ant species in Australia.
Native to South America, it was first detected in Brisbane in 2001 and while still largely localised to Greater Brisbane, it has also recently been detected in two separate zones in NSW.
“RIFA is not present in Victoria, and we hope collective efforts continue to ensure that this situation remains unchanged,” Dr Dibley said.
“If RIFA made it into Victoria, it could severely affect the state’s economy, agriculture, the environment and the wellbeing of people and livestock.
“RIFA is mostly spread when it hitchhikes on material that is transported out of an infested area.”
Dr Dibley said with drought forcing farmers to source hay and fodder from interstate suppliers there was a real risk they may inadvertently import RIFA.
“We know current conditions mean farmers are dealing with unfamiliar fodder sellers, but we still want to protect our agricultural industry from biosecurity threats,” he said.
“Hay and straw are ideal host materials for RIFA, providing shelter, temperature regulation and a food source.”
Dr Dibley said farmers should be aware that hay or straw purchased from anywhere outside Victoria must come from a location with an accepted RIFA area freedom certificate.
Fodder purchased from the infested zones must meet inspection and treatment requirements and be certified by an officer responsible for agriculture in the state or territory of origin.
When coming from these zones, a purchase must also include one of the following types of certificates:
• Plant Health Certificate
• Plant Health Assurance Certificate
• Biosecure HACCP Biosecurity Certificate
• Plant Health Declaration
To further protect Victoria, if you suspect that you have found RIFA, report it immediately via the Agriculture Victoria Public Online Reporting Form at agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-insects-and-mites/report-an-unusual-plant-insect-pest-or-disease or by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
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