AgForce expresses grave concerns over calls for the Australian government to declare buffel grass a Weed of National Significance after the Northern Territory joined South Australia in declaring it a weed.
AgForce CEO Michael Guerin says it's hugely problematic to consider buffel grass for WoNS listing.
"This list cannot include economically critical species, such as buffel grass. Its significance is not as a weed, but as an incredibly important pasture species."
"The term "weed" is context-dependent; a plant considered a weed in one situation can be valued in another. This is certainly true in the case of buffel grass. AgForce stresses the importance of recognising that buffel grass is heavily relied upon by graziers and reliant regional communities across Queensland."
AgForce Senior Policy Advisor for Biosecurity and Sustainability, Dr Annie Ruttledge, says declaring buffel a WoNS would have major negative impacts on producers with pastures dominated by the grass.
"Declaring buffel grass a WoNS could mean legislative or other imperatives for its removal. Clearly, this could be devastating for our livestock enterprises, the supply chain, and consumers who rely on meat from Queensland's livestock producers as a vital source of protein and nutrition to feed their families."
"WoNS listing could even open the door to fund research into biocontrol agents. Biocontrol agents do not respect boundaries and would invade properties regardless of whether buffel grass is considered a weed or a vital pasture resource."
Dr Ruttledge says buffel grass provides several crucial benefits to land condition.
"Buffel grass has deep roots that allow it to access water from deeper soil layers during droughts. This resilience benefits both livestock and the condition of land during climatic extremes and is critical for climate resilient grazing systems.
"The extensive root system of buffel grass helps bind soil particles, reducing sedimentation of rivers, wetlands and the Great Barrier Reef. Additionally, deep-rooted and persistent grasses can sequester carbon deep in the soil."
"Queensland's livestock producers understand that good management is essential to balance the fire risk of buffel grass. It's also worth noting that the capacity of buffel grass to recover rapidly after fires provides a critical feed resource, allowing fire impacted animals and communities to recover more quickly.
"Regarding WoNS, we expect that reason will prevail and that our federal government will recognise buffel grass as key to animal welfare outcomes and increased climate resilience in central and northern Queensland, regions of crucial importance to the nation's livestock industry. Ultimately, there are many, many species more appropriate for WoNS listing."
