VICTORIA is leading a call for more cash for plans to unleash the carp herpes virus
So..$15 million is put aside for the Carp eradication plan.
$4 million for "research" and the rest on . publicity and "education"
What a train wreck
VICTORIA is leading a call for more cash for plans to unleash the carp herpes virus, amid a shortfall in the National Carp Control Plan’s research budget.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford has this week written to her federal counterpart David Littleproud, demanding almost $4 million extra be put towards research for the release of the controversial koi herpes virus in Australia’s waterways.
It comes as a leading Queensland Government scientist involved in the project, Jonathan Marshall, also called for more research funding — and an extension to the end-of-year deadline for getting the plan ready for the Federal Government’s consideration.
“Without more time and more research, an informed decision by the end of this year (on whether or not to use the virus) is just not going to be possible,” Dr Marshall said.
“There’ll be too many uncertainties and too many risks related to those uncertainties.”
The Federal Government had allocated $15 million to develop a plan for the controlled release of the carp virus in a bid to wipe out the pest fish, particularly from the Murray Darling Basin. The plan is being developed with co-operation from state governments.
But almost $4 million of that cash has been put aside for actually implementing the plan — despite there being no final decision on whether the virus should, or will, be used.
In a letter seen by The Weekly Times, Ms Pulford tells Mr Littleproud the full $15 million should go to research.
“Reducing funding for the plan’s development by approximately one-third places the project at risk given that there are proposals to cut scientific research and engagement proposals,” Ms Pulford wrote.
“Victoria has continued to work constructively with the Commonwealth on the NCCP on the assumption that there would be a robust plan, underpinned by adequate research, communication and engagement.”
Dr Marshall, principal scientist in aquatic ecosystems from Queensland’s Department of Environment and Sciences, said as little as $5 million may have actually been spent on research so far, with quite a lot having had to go on communications and planning, plus the cash set aside for delivery.
“As a scientist there’s all these knowledge gaps that need addressing and we need more money and more time to address them,” he said. “Releasing a biological control agent such as this is an irreversible decision, so the onus of proof needs to be on the side of caution.”
Queensland’s Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said the Commonwealth had to deliver on promises made by former minister Barnaby Joyce.
source
$4 million for "research" and the rest on . publicity and "education"
What a train wreck
VICTORIA is leading a call for more cash for plans to unleash the carp herpes virus, amid a shortfall in the National Carp Control Plan’s research budget.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford has this week written to her federal counterpart David Littleproud, demanding almost $4 million extra be put towards research for the release of the controversial koi herpes virus in Australia’s waterways.
It comes as a leading Queensland Government scientist involved in the project, Jonathan Marshall, also called for more research funding — and an extension to the end-of-year deadline for getting the plan ready for the Federal Government’s consideration.
“Without more time and more research, an informed decision by the end of this year (on whether or not to use the virus) is just not going to be possible,” Dr Marshall said.
“There’ll be too many uncertainties and too many risks related to those uncertainties.”
The Federal Government had allocated $15 million to develop a plan for the controlled release of the carp virus in a bid to wipe out the pest fish, particularly from the Murray Darling Basin. The plan is being developed with co-operation from state governments.
But almost $4 million of that cash has been put aside for actually implementing the plan — despite there being no final decision on whether the virus should, or will, be used.
In a letter seen by The Weekly Times, Ms Pulford tells Mr Littleproud the full $15 million should go to research.
“Reducing funding for the plan’s development by approximately one-third places the project at risk given that there are proposals to cut scientific research and engagement proposals,” Ms Pulford wrote.
“Victoria has continued to work constructively with the Commonwealth on the NCCP on the assumption that there would be a robust plan, underpinned by adequate research, communication and engagement.”
Dr Marshall, principal scientist in aquatic ecosystems from Queensland’s Department of Environment and Sciences, said as little as $5 million may have actually been spent on research so far, with quite a lot having had to go on communications and planning, plus the cash set aside for delivery.
“As a scientist there’s all these knowledge gaps that need addressing and we need more money and more time to address them,” he said. “Releasing a biological control agent such as this is an irreversible decision, so the onus of proof needs to be on the side of caution.”
Queensland’s Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said the Commonwealth had to deliver on promises made by former minister Barnaby Joyce.
source
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