Media Release

Northern Territory Government

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade National Browsing Ant Eradication Program extended in the Territory

15 November 2021

The Northern Territory’s Browsing Ant biosecurity efforts have been boosted with an extension to the program’s funding.

Under the National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement (NEBRA), a cost sharing arrangement coordinated by the National Biosecurity Management Group (NBMG), the National Browsing Ant Eradication Program (NBAEP) NT was extended until November 2023.

The NBMG agreed to an upper limit of $3.6 million in funding for the Territory to eradicate the exotic invasive ant species after it was detected at a site in the Kakadu region in September 2020. The new detection resulted in a request by the NT for additional funding and an extension of the program, which was approved by from the NBMG in August 2021.

Prior to new detection in Kakadu in 2020, NBAEP NT was on track to declare browsing ant eradicated from the Territory by September 2021.

Browsing ants were first detected by the Australian Government in the Darwin Port area in 2015. Since then, the NBAEP NT has been undertaking activities including tracing, surveillance and treatment of infested premises (IPs) to contain and eradicate browsing ants from the Territory.

Browsing ants are an exotic, invasive pest to Australia. They are a serious environmental threat and have the potential to jeopardise our economy, impacting national and international market access. They can form super colonies that displace native ant species and kill other invertebrates, including native ants, which disrupt ecosystems. They can reduce plant health through farming and protecting damaging pests such as aphids, mealy bugs and scale insects.

The Territory’s biosecurity staff have been working with local businesses and industry in the Greater Darwin region to carry out tracing and surveillance activities since 2015 at the 22 IPs.

The NBAEP NT partnered with the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program to help deliver the surveillance. In the Territory, 12 Indigenous Ranger Groups undertook surveillance using more than 7,000 lures, with no browsing ants detected.

Out of the initial 22 premises, 17 have since been cleared of browsing ant, with the remaining 5 IPs in the Greater Darwin region expected to be cleared when the odour detection dog returns in 2022.

Properties are declared “pest free” after a 2 year period of no browsing ants being found at a property during multiple surveillance events. Proof of absence data is an integral part of the eradication process.

With funding now allocated until November 2023, a new browsing ant eradication target for the Territory has been set for September 2023.

Territorians who are concerned about suspected pests, including browsing ant, should call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

For more information about the Northern Territory’s efforts to eradicate browsing ant, head to: [https://nt.gov.au/environment/animals/feral-animals/exotic-ants/browsing-ant]

Quotes from the Northern Territory Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Anne Walters:

“It is vital we do all we can to detect and eradicate invasive species that could threaten the Territory’s environment, and economy.

“The extension of the National Browsing Ant Eradication Program NT will allow the team to continue their great work and move towards eradication of browsing ants in the Territory, which is a biosecurity goal we support.

“The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade is committed to protecting our communities, industries and environment through early detection and rapid responses to biosecurity threats. This can only happen if all Territorians play a part, as biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility.”

Quotes from the National Browsing Ant Eradication Program NT - Program Manager, Riki Fulton:

“We are grateful to those NT businesses who have cooperated with the program and have shown commitment to improve and maintain good biosecurity practices. This is critical in minimising outbreaks of invasive species and ensuring the Territory continues important trade activities.

“We will continue to raise awareness of browsing ants and other invasive ant species as well as encourage the community to report any signs of browsing ant or unusual ant activity.”

Quotes from the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment - Australia’s Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, Dr Robyn Cleland:

“Indigenous rangers are the frontline, protecting Country and helping keep Australia pest and disease free.

“This program has enabled Indigenous rangers currently undertaking biosecurity activities for the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to increase their skillset by undertaking a new methodology of surveillance it’s a great collaboration.”

ENDS.

Media contacts: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment – 02 6272 3232 or media@agriculture.gov.au

Northern Territory Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade – 0409 640 859

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