Government implements stink bug prevention procedures

Because of Australia's large import-export market, agriculture and horticulture operators have farm insurance to protect against potential pest infestations. Pest infestations can cost the Australian economy a lot of money, so the government takes cautionary procedures to reduce the risk of this happening.

As of September 1 2015, heightened biosecurity measures are being implemented at all of Australia's ports to protect against the exotic brown marmorated stink bug.

The stink bug can be highly invasive and can spread to a range of about 300 known plants, including fruits and vegetables. The juvenile and adult versions of the bug are both capable of destruction.

Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce has announced that these new measures are part of a more vigilant and focussed approach to prevention. This has come about from using feedback from the past seasons and a better understanding of the bug's behaviours.

"Now we have more data from our earlier efforts, we're able to be better prepared. We know the times of year with greater risk, effective treatment conditions and we're able to scale our level of intervention to when and where we need it most," said Mr Joyce.

International shipping vessels are being targeted the most as they are the major route through which stink bugs arrive on our shores. Treatments include the use of sulfuryl fluoride and methyl bromide, heated to at least 50 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 20 minutes.

Even though the treatment regulations are only being applied to goods imported from the USA, monitoring of all stink bug interceptions from all other countries is also being carried out.

Another avenue farmers are looking into for protection is crop insurance, should stink bugs make it through the safeguards. Given the Australian horticulture sector is worth $9.23 billion, it makes sense that the ministry is trying to avoid farmers needing their insurance.