[Great Southern Star, Tue 16 Nov 2010, p. 42] -- The Victorian Department of Primary Industries is receiving calls from the public who are concerned about contractors and farmers baling hay in areasknown to have weed species. Hay contractors and farmers are encouraged to ensure they adopt practical hygiene measures to minimise the risks of weed spread. Contractors, fanners, transport operators and anyone else involved in the manufacture and transfer of fodder and grains can follow a few simple steps to minimise the potential for weed spread:
Don't allow fodder or grain to leave a property if it is contaminated with noxious weeds or seed of a noxious weed. Ensure machinery hygiene practices are adopted to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. Only source fodder or grain from properties known to be free of noxious weeds.
Ask for a certification of quality to protect against contaminants.
As a precaution, feed hay in designated paddocks or areas that can be closely monitored in future for weed infestation. During the drought, in most cases it was essential to import fodder and grain onto the farm to provide stock feed. In the longer term, this may: have created a weed problem which could last for many years.
NOXIOUS Weed Seed can pass through the gut of animals and be viable. We all have a duty of care to prevent the spread of weeds into and around our state. Victoria has legislation in place to protect the state and industry. This deals with control, purchasing, selling and transport that may be responsible for spreading noxious weeds.
This legislation emphasises the responsibilities of the individual and carries severe penalties for offenders. Under the Victorian legislation, a person must not, without a permit from the secretary, wilfully bring or cause to be brought into Victoria or transport[ed] within Victoria the seeds or any other part of a noxious weed, whether or not it is for sale.
It is also an offence to deposit on land, noxious weeds or seeds that are capable growing. Severe penalties apply to those who choose to ignore this legislation. All farmers. contractors and transport operators are urged to take weed spread seriously this hay season and protect our agricultural industries.
For any further enquiries or information, please contact [DPI] Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Article: WeedsNews1342 (permalink) Date: 22 November 2010; 2:35:48 PM AEDT