Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis has lambasted local pollies who jumped on a fake news bandwagon over the weekend.
On Saturday, it was reported by the Shire of Harvey that the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) had been found within its bounds.
The news sparked widespread panic amongst those concerned the invasive beetle could decimate the horticulture industry in the South West.
Despite DPIRD confirming the species detected was actually the European house borer, misinformation about the PSHB spread like wildfire.
WA Liberal Party leader Libby Mettam, Lord Mayor for Perth Basil Zempilas, and City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall shared the misinformation on their official Facebook pages and condemned the state government’s ‘lacklustre’ response to the beetle.
All deleted their original posts when the truth surfaced.
Minister Jarvis said those responsible for stirring up panic to score political points should be “embarrassed”.
“Biosecurity should be a bipartisan matter, where we all support eradication efforts,” she said.
But Libby Mettam has doubled down on her attack on Labor and Jackie Jarvis.
“[The] Agriculture Minister is out of her depth, and she has allowed a biosecurity disaster to develop in WA, which could cause billions of dollars to our agricultural industries, while changing the face of Perth forever,” she said.
“While it is good news that DPIRD has confirmed that earlier reports of issues in Harvey are not shot-hole borer, it is understandable there is huge anxiety.
“There is little confidence in the minister in being able to contain this pest given it has already been reported in Armadale and in the hills at Kalamunda.
“Local governments across Perth have been crying out for more assistance to deal with this for months.”
The drama slightly overshadowed the government’s announcement on Saturday that it would be outlaying $7.2 million to fight back against canopy loss.
The funds will be used in affected areas to plant up to three trees for every one that has been lost to shot-hole borer.
There are hopes the money will be able to support the planting of more than 16,000 trees, with local governments and residential landholders eligible to apply for and receive funds under the program.
“We know planting trees is one of the simplest things Western Australians can do to help fight climate change,” Environment Minister Reece Whitby said.
“That’s why it’s important we replace trees that will be lost to PSHB infestation.”
Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said everyone’s help was needed to continue the fight against PSHB, but there had been some recent breakthroughs.
“Importantly the emergency biosecurity response is showing evidence of success, with recent DPIRD surveillance in Kings Park recording a significant drop of shot-hole borer found in traps following the tree removals on Mount Eliza escarpment earlier this year,” she said.
“Early intervention is key in reducing the spread and will help protect WA’s trees and our important horticulture sector.”
