Title: South Australia pledges broomrape eradication
South Australian Agriculture Minister Michael O'Brien says the State Government remains committed to eradicating the parasitic weed branched broomrape from the Murray-Mallee. A recent study recommended its containment over eradication. Mr O'Brien visited the affected area yesterday for the first time since the report was released. He says some farmers in the region fear abandoning eradication will see a metaphorical Berlin Wall build around the area. "We want to continue with eradication, the eradication program would now probably be confined to agricultural land, rather than the very broad approach that we've been employing," he said. He says the Government intends to continue contributing just under $2 million a year and he is negotiating for additional funding with other states, the Commonwealth and industry groups.