Farmers and homeowners in southeast Queensland are desperately trying to stop the forced poisoning of their properties with toxic chemicals in order to wipe out fire ants.
More than 6,400 concerned residents have signed a petition calling for an immediate halt in the use of two chemicals used by the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) – fipronil and pyriproxyfen.
Experts say that fipronil, which is banned for use on crops in the EU, China, California and Vietnam, is “wildly toxic” and harmful to humans, while pyriproxyfen has been linked to 4,000 birth defects in Brazil.
But the NFAEP is insisting on using both chemicals along with other toxic insecticides as part of its baiting treatments where the poisons are spread from the air by planes, helicopters and drones, and by workers on the ground using handheld equipment.
The program is taking place across a huge swathe of land forming a ring around greater Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and the Gold Coast.
Residents living within the eradication zone have been told they must provide access to their properties for the application of the poisons up to six times over two years, and are being threatened with fines under the Biosecurity Act if they do not comply.
In response some locals have formed a group called Stop the Toxic Fire Ant Program, and are taking legal action against the state government to get an injunction, saying the baits have already killed livestock, pets and bees, and are seeking permission to treat fire ant infestations on their own properties without the use of toxic chemicals.
Some have placed warning signs on their properties to prevent access, while others have shared letters they have received warning them of fines of almost $15,000 for “obstructing an authorised officer”.
“So the fire ant people were here Friday just gone, I have not permitted any baiting on my property as yet, but they did the surrounding areas and nature strips. We are a chemical free zone, my son doesn’t even use shampoo or conditioner!” said one mother in the group.
“Fri arvo he broke out in a rash, they came back Monday, and now my son’s rash is raging all over his chest, belly and 1 arm… has anyone else experienced this sort of thing? I have been documenting everything, we haven’t changed anything, this is the only change in our lives.”
Another said: “I’ve called them up to say no I don’t give them permission and the lady on the phone said she’ll send through my ‘request for approval’.
“Now I’m concerned they’ll deny it and come onto my property anyway and spray. Is there anything else I can do to make sure this doesn’t happen. I’m especially worried as I have a newborn, toddler and dog.”
Livestock owner Trevor Hold said he had lost two calves since baiting began.
“My primary concern is the lack of transparency about what’s in these baits and their potential impact on my livestock,” he told the Courier Mail.
“We’ve seen our animals suffer, and despite repeated requests, we’re not getting clear answers about the contents of these baits or their safety as no environmental impact study has been done.
“The aerial baiting, which is not even targeting a specific area, was done when it was raining so the bait got into the rivers and our dam and we believe that affected the small calves.”
Aquatic veterinarian Mat Landos told The Guardian Australia earlier this year that fipronil, which is being injected into fire ant nests, will inevitably enter waterways and poison the ecosystem for a very long time.
Mr Landos said the government’s claim that the chemical was being used in low dosages and not near waterways was an “attempt to make something that is wildly toxic acceptable to deploy, even on floodplains”.
An online fundraiser by Save the Bees Australia points out that NFAEP involves hundreds of millions in government funding.
“This is a massive money spinner for the Queensland Government with over $500 million budgeted until 2027 for the marketing and running of this poisoning program,” the fundraiser states.
“In 2021 their advisors acknowledged that the program will need to run until 2032 to bait the entire 800,000 hectares of South East Queensland, 6 times at a cost of $200 to $300 million a year.
“At present Queensland not only receives that funding but then only has to contribute 10% to run the program by its own Biosecurity Department.”
On August 1 the NFAEP said in a statement that “fire ants could cause over $2 billion annually in damage to our environment, economy, health and outdoor way of life” and that eradicating them by 2032 is a “national priority requiring a unified community effort”.
“From 5 August, the NFAEP will start eradication treatment in an area larger than ever before, totalling 830,000 hectares and spanning parts of Moreton Bay, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Southern Downs, Scenic Rim, Brisbane City, and southern Gold Coast,” the NFAEP said.
“All targeted properties must be treated multiple times over several years, regardless of whether fire ants are visible. This will be followed by 5 years of surveillance to ensure they do not return. As fire ants are cleared, we will move inward until all areas are treated.
“Additionally, the program is also boosting its compliance efforts starting with greater emphasis on educating industry and community about the importance of following the fire ant biosecurity zones and associated movement controls.
“If necessary, this may result in enforcement action which can include penalty infringement notices, biosecurity orders and prosecution.”
Fire ants originated in South America and are now considered one of the world’s most invasive species.
A 2021 cost-benefit analysis conducted by Central Queensland University found that if left untreated fire ants could cost Australia billions, including $536 million to households for health and lifestyle impacts, $381 million in agricultural losses, $250 million in infrastructure damage, and $84 million in environmental harm, the NFAEP said.
