Agmates Editor Steve Truman writes:
Anti - farmer Green groups & weed warriors and have unloaded the second volley at State and Federal politicians in their ongoing campaign to have the QLD & NT governments ban Gamba Grass.
This is no surprise as we flagged this was on in our article Greens Pressure QLD Government to ban Gamba, Buffel Grass & Leucaena on the 18th of March.
If you read the Green propaganda - Gamba grass is “Australia’s Worst Weed”. The only thing they don’t say but imply is that the fires of Hell are actually Gamba Grass fires - it’s so bad.
On Monday with great fan fare they released this to the Media - It had also been delivered to the following politicians:
- Paul Henderson – Chief minister of the NT
- Anna Bligh – Premier QLD
- Peter Garrett – Minister for the Environment.
- Tim Mulherin – Minister Primary Industries QLD
- Andrew McNamara – Minister Climate Change and Sustainability QLD
- Craig Wallace – Minister Natural Resources and Water QLD
- Christopher Natt – Minister for Primary Industries NT
- Loenard Kiely –
Minister Parks and Wildlife & Natural Resources – NT - Senator Penny Wong – Minister Climate Change and Water
An Open letter from Scientists calling for a ban on Gamba Grass Across Northern Australia
The Agmates article exposed the tactics to be used by the greens and the issue has been picked up ABC rural radio and to a small extent by Rural Press.
One result of our exposing their tactics is that the CRC has removed Leucaena from their web site and does not mention it. I’m told this is because the Leucaena growers have in place a state government recognized code of practice.
However if you go to their site you’ll see Buffel grass listed as a major weed that must be stamped out: Below is the photo and text from the site:
Buffel grass at Uluru (Ayres Rock NT)
Cenchrus ciliaris
Like gamba grass and mission grass, buffel grass is an African native introduced to Australia as a pastoral species. Highly competitive and drought tolerant, buffel grass has opened vast tracts of land to grazing, increasing carrying capacity in central and northern Australia. But the spread of buffel grass has been disastrous for the environment as it out-competes native grasses and spreads fire into ecosystems not naturally accustomed to frequent burning. It also threatens the environmental integrity of landmarks like Uluru (Ayers Rock), NT (seen here). Projections are that buffel grass could cover 58% of mainland Australia.
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What we need is a Gamba grass growers association, that can develop an industry ‘code of practice’ that will satisfy State Governments. We don’t need State Governments passing legislation that hurts producers and economic productivity, all to satisfy the Anti - farming Green Hysteria and their supposed green vote.
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Update 1. 03/04/08 @ 11pm
The Qld Government today declared Gamba Grass a Class 2 Weed. There are 3 categories: The definition of a C2 weed is:
C2 Weeds: plants are established in the State and have, or could have, an adverse economic, environmental or social impact. Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 2 plants. It is an offence to keep or sell Class 2 plants without a permit
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Update 2. 04/04/08 @ 11.30am
Ministers Statement on the ban. John Rains calls for action from Peak bodies to protect Tropical pastures.
Have your say!
Should the NT Governments follow WA & QLD and Ban Gamba Grass?
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