The State Government has added $2.15million to the campaign to eradicate starlings, one of the world's worst pests.
The State Government has added $2.15million to the campaign to eradicate starlings, one of the world's worst pests.
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance said starlings were rated as one of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species by the World Conservation Union.
Already, $1million was being spent this year in WA to combat the birds.
The Minister said the $2.15million would be used for urgent surveillance and control work to reduce known starling populations prior to the spring breeding season and to establish effective control programs in late 2006 and early 2007, when nesting birds could be targeted.
Further surveillance over a wide area from east of Albany to the South Australian border was required to define the infested area accurately and enable efficient targeting of the control program.
"Starlings represent a significant biosecurity risk to agriculture, horticulture, tourism, the environment and the community of WA and are already established in all other States of Australia," the Minister said.
"I have discussed the eradication program with WA farmers and I hope we will be able to develop a partnership with landholders and the local indigenous community which will enable them to form an effective part of the eradication campaign.
"DAFWA will be the lead agency. However, this joint agency approach recognises the severe impact starlings could have on biodiversity and social amenity, as well as agriculture.
"DAFWA has formed a starling control taskforce to define the limits of the starling incursion and conduct urgent control activity."
Environment Minister Mark McGowan said the biodiversity impacts would be serious if starlings became established in WA.
"Starlings have had a severe impact on native bird populations in eastern Australia and New Zealand," Mr McGowan said.
"Research indicates that starlings represent a specific extinction threat to the Wheatbelt subspecies of Western Rosella, Red-tailed phascogales, Graceful Sunmoths, Pink Cockatoo, a number of hollow-dwelling bat species and other fauna species such as the Brush-tailed phascogale and White-browed Babbler.
Mr Chance said the potential impact on the agriculture and food sector would also be significant.
"Starlings are known for fouling grain storage facilities, feedlots and rainwater storages. In the USA, it is estimated that starlings cause $800million worth of damage each year to grain crops alone," he said.
The starling control taskforce will develop a long-term strategy for consideration by the State Government and other potential funders of the program as part of the 2007-08 Budget planning.
