Industry leaders are calling for calm after a political stoush between members of the Labor and Liberal parties raised claims of spreading misinformation about an invasive beetle species.
On Saturday, it was falsely reported that the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) had been found in the Shire of Harvey, 150 kilometres south of Perth.
Despite the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development confirming the species that had been located was the European house borer, misinformation about the PSHB spread widely.
WA Director for Avocados Australia Brad Rodgers said farmers needed to be alert, not alarmed, after the Shire of Harvey acknowledged the error.
Brad Rodgers is calling for calm. (Supplied: Avocados Australia)
The tiny insect, and associated fungus, has killed thousands of trees across the Perth metro area, and it’s feared it could reach south-west orchards.
Mr Rodgers said growers were rightly concerned about any pest or incursion that could impact their livelihoods.
“I’m very confident that our farmers are going to want to be on the ball here and do the right thing to protect their own livelihoods and help the industry as a whole by reporting it,” he said.
“Growers are concerned and want to ensure people in Perth are able to do as much as they can to help eradicate it.”
In a statement, the Shire of Harvey apologised for any confusion or concern it may have caused.
“We understand the concerns that may have arisen due to this report, particularly given the significant impact that the polyphagous shot-hole borer can have on local agriculture and forestry,” a spokesperson said.
“However, we are relieved to report that the European house borer, while still requiring management, poses different risks that are more manageable within our region.”
Posts edited, removed
On Monday, Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis blasted both Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas and WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam for Facebook posts the pair made on Sunday.
Liberal candidate for Churchlands Basil Zempilas’ original post before it was edited. (Supplied: Facebook)
In the since-edited and removed posts, respectively, the pair shared a West Australian article about the Shire of Harvey PSHB case with additional comments attacking the state government for its “lacklustre” response to the invasive species.
Jackie Jarvis says the announcement created fear in the community. (ABC Perth: Grace Burmas)
Ms Jarvis said the Liberal party should be “embarrassed” by both the misinformation and its use to score political points.
“Biosecurity should be a bipartisan matter, where we all support eradication efforts,” she said.
Ms Jarvis said the opposition was making false claims about the impacts to the agricultural regions of WA, and she was disappointed.
She claimed she contacted the shadow agriculture minister Colin De Grussa at noon on Sunday to inform him of the inaccuracies.
Despite this, the misinformation on Ms Mettam’s and Mr Zempilas’ pages remained there for more than 24 hours.
‘Only a matter of time’
WA Liberal party leader Libby Mettam said although she acknowledged the information was inaccurate, she would not apologise for standing up for the state’s interests.
WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam’s social media post, now removed. (Supplied: Facebook)
“This does not change the fact that the Cook Labor government’s response to the shot-hole borer has been totally lacklustre and inadequate, and it could only be a matter of time before it is detected in the South West,” she said.
Ms Mettam said the agriculture minister had allowed a biosecurity disaster to develop that could wreak irreversible damage on the state.
Mr Zempilas declined to comment but has since updated his Facebook post.
