Bunnings is investigating a potential biosecurity incident involving millet brooms at a store in the New South Wales Riverina region.
The millet brooms imported from China appear to have entire rice plants as part of the broom head. (ABC Rural: Warwick Long)
A farmer in the rice-growing heartland of Australia spotted what he believed were rice plants inside brooms for sale at the store, which is part of Australia’s biggest hardware chain.
The millet brooms imported from China appeared to have entire rice plants as part of the broom head.
Keith Rowe, a former rice grower of 20 years, said he knew rice when he saw it and was concerned about a possible biosecurity breach.
“I could see these grains in the head of the broom and on closer inspection I nearly fell over because I’m absolutely certain they were rice grains,” he said.
“The biosecurity concerns are just mammoth.”
Mr Rowe said Australia was an ideal place to grow rice because there was little threat of diseases or pests to the plants.
Bunnings says it has removed the brooms from sale. (ABC Rural: Warwick Long)
Investigation ongoing
A Bunnings spokesperson said the company took biosecurity “very seriously”.
“[We] work with our suppliers and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to ensure our products meet all relevant biosecurity and import regulations,” they said.
“As soon as we became aware of these concerns … out of an abundance of caution, we removed the brooms from sale while we investigate the matter with our two suppliers of millet brooms and the quarantine regulator.
“We strictly follow the biosecurity requirements for all imported products and can confirm the product underwent heat treatments at high temperatures for 24 hours and methyl bromide fumigation to ensure any seed material that may be remaining is unable to germinate.”
Mr Rowe shared his concerns on X last week, tagging the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which has since begun an investigation into the imported brooms.
“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and we encourage all Australians to immediately report any unusual or unexpected items that may breach our strict biosecurity requirements,” a department spokesperson said in a statement.
