Fire ant crackdown: turf from Queensland must be chemically treated when laid in NSW

Fines of up to $2.2m can be levied against those who ignore biosecurity order to counter invasive insects

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Turf from fire ant-infested south-eastern Queensland will need to be specially treated when it is laid in New South Wales as part of the crackdown on the spread of the extremely invasive pest.

Under amendments to NSW's biosecurity (fire ants) emergency order, fines of up to $2.2m can be meted out to those who fail to chemically treat turf that originated in the red imported fire ant (Rifa)-affected zone in Queensland.

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