Government funnels $14.5m to combat beetle threat

THE AUSTRALIAN government will invest $14.5 million to strengthen biosecurity measures at the border.

Minister for agriculture David Littleproud said the initiative followed global increase in detections of the pest at international borders.

“An outbreak of khapra beetle could conservatively cost Australia $15.5 billion over 20 years,” he said.

“It is a devastating pest of stored grains and dried foods However, like the brown marmorated stink bug—it has increasingly been found hitchhiking outside these food sources in containers and packaging.

“As a trading nation Australia cannot simply close its borders. Our biosecurity system must evolve and respond to changing risks. That is why we are investing $14.5 million over 18 months in new measures at the border.

“Additional resources for containerised cargo inspections will help to speed up border clearance and deliver greater assurance.

Mr Littleproud said the government is investing in rapid diagnostic technology and capability, as well as targeted surveillance efforts at the border.

“And operational system enhancements will enable mandatory treatment of containers arriving from khapra-affected countries,” he said.

“These targeted measures ensure the Australian biosecurity system continues to serve our $61 billion agriculture sector and the $53 billion it returns to the national bottom line each year though exports.”

Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is a pernicious pest and is not present in Australia, according to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. It feeds directly on grain and dry food stuffs and can significantly damage them.