2024-06: Updated Fire Ants Organic Notice

Date of issue: 09 July 2024

Date of effect: Immediate

Reference Number: IAN 2024-06

Attention

Organic operators and exporters, approved certifying bodies, industry bodies

Purpose

To advise of the requirements where treatment for fire ants, as required by the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, is conducted on a property that produces certified organic or bio dynamic products for export.

Background

1. Fire ants are considered a serious pest in Australia. They cause extensive damage to Australia’s ecological and agricultural systems.
2. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) is a nationally cost-shared program funded by all Australian state and territory governments, and the Federal Government.
3. In 2001, the NFAEP was established to eradicate fire ants from Australia. As the combat state, the Queensland Government oversees the delivery of the national program in Queensland, via Biosecurity Queensland. Following a subsequent incursion into northern New South Wales in 2023, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) oversees an emergency response in New South Wales and works with the NFAEP in undertaking fire ant treatments in New South Wales. A number of pest control operators have been permitted to undertake treatment for fire ants in New South Wales under the direction of the NSW DPI.
4. Two key products used for treatment of fire ants are – Engage Ant Bait and Extinguish Professional fire ant bait (active – S-methoprene).
5. Treatments are conducted by the NFAEP, NSW DPI or authorised persons under the direction of the NFAEP and occurs during the months from August to June. The products are distributed in a pelletised form by air, all-terrain vehicle and / or foot.
6. At this time, the treatment option is non-compliant with the National Standard for Organic and Bio-dynamic Produce (the National Standard) due to the presence of a non-approved chemical substance – S methoprene.
7. Under the Export Control (Organic Goods) Rules 2021, the export of organic or bio dynamic goods is prohibited unless the exporter of the goods holds an organic goods certificate (OGC).
8. This organic notice replaces the previously issued organic notice MAA2022-02.

Consideration

9. The NFAEP has confirmed infestations of fire ants in various locations in Queensland and New South Wales that may impact some certified organic or bio-dynamic operators in these areas.
10. It is compulsory for all property owners to allow the NFAEP, NSW DPI and authorised persons under the direction of the NFAEP to apply treatment for fire ants or comply with directions issued to apply treatment. This includes certified organic or bio dynamic operators.
11. Goods that are contaminated as a result of this treatment must be prevented from being certified as organic or bio-dynamic, sold as organic/bio-dynamic and entering the export chain.
12. All certified organic or bio-dynamic livestock must be removed from the affected area prior to application of the fire ant treatment.

Advice

13. Where treatment for fire ants has occurred:
    Produce that has had direct contact with treatment must not be sold as organic or bio dynamic.
    1. Crops must not be sown or planted in the area(s) that were treated for a period of not less than three weeks after the date of bait application.
    2. Livestock must not be returned to the area(s) that were treated for a period of not less than three weeks after the date of bait application.
    3. If livestock is not removed prior to and from the area(s) that were treated, the livestock and/or its produce must not be sold as organic or bio dynamic.
    4. Land and certified produce may be subject to sampling and laboratory analysis following treatment.
14. The NFAEP has indicated that it will work with local farmers to strive for a minimal impact to their production:
    • The NFAEP will determine the best treatment strategy for your property or work site.
    • The NFAEP will provide notification to the certified operator where a property is within a treatment area. Biosecurity Queensland and NSW Department of Primary Industries will endeavour to schedule treatment dates to best suit the production cycle on the affected certified organic or bio-dynamic property.
    • The aim is to apply fire ant treatments containing S-methoprene after crops have been harvested if possible.
    • Given the presence of fire ants is a biosecurity emergency, urgent treatment may be prioritised over harvest timeframes or impacts to organic operations, but impacts will be minimised wherever possible.
15. Application of treatment for fire ants can only be conducted by the NFAEP or NSW DPI officials, or authorised persons under their direction.

Instruction

16. Certified operators are required to notify their approved certifying body prior to treatment for fire ants and within two business days of receipt of the ‘notice to treat' from the NFAEP or NSW DPI.
17. Certified operators must have a documented organic system plan to manage the treated area and any impacts to certification status. This will include:
    • a map clearly defining treatment areas and the dates of all treatments
    • documents that must state how treatment was applied
    • measures taken to prevent direct contact with produce intended for sale as certified organic or bio-dynamic planting and harvest dates, and
    • livestock movement records
18. In the absence of satisfactory documentary evidence of compliance with this Notice, and where the NFAEP implements eradication action and prohibited substances and/or practices not consistent with the National Standard are applied:
    1. the approved certifying body may give consideration to reducing, but not less than 12 months, the re-entry requirements for organic and bio dynamic products, and
    2. relevant testing of products by a laboratory is required prior to re-entry, and
    3. approved certifying bodies will not issue an OGC for export of certified organic or bio-dynamic goods from the affected area(s) for at least 12 months from treatment with these products.

Further information

Contact OrganicExports@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.

The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.