Secret report reveals fire ant emergency

Our work exposing Australia’s fire ant emergency has been all over national media following the release of a secret report into the eradication program. The report, which may never have seen the light of day without our efforts, clearly states that it is possible and ‘in the national interest’ to eradicate fire ants. It says we can eradicate these dangerous ants within the decade, but only if the program is fully funded. It also warns that if nothing changes, fire ants will become our nation’s worst pest, worse than the combined impacts of rabbits, cane toads, foxes, camels, wild dogs and feral cats. We have a plan to stop fire ants in their tracks but we need your help. ABC News broke the story and it has appeared on Channel 10's The Project, in the Guardian and Daily Mail, and been heard on Brisbane and Sydney radio. The fire ant super pest causes animal extinctions, damages agriculture and kills people: 80 poor souls have died from fire ant attacks in the United States alone. This is such a huge issue for Australia, we must secure eradication funding. Next May agriculture ministers will meet to consider the future of the fire ant eradication program. To succeed, the program needs more fire ant detection dogs, aerial drone baiting, helicopter heat-sensing equipment and field staff to eradicate a large infestation between Brisbane and the NSW border. The program needs $38 million a year for the next ten years. Our job over the next six months is now clear and we need your help. We want to embark on a nationwide lobbying and public awareness campaign, visiting every Australian capital city. We must build public support and pressure all governments to ensure they attend the May meeting ready to fully fund the fire ant eradication program. Central to our national tour will be raising enough funds so that we can bring an expert from the United States to Australia who can share first-hand experience of living with fire ants in a country where eradication is no longer possible. This plan can only happen with your support. There are three things you can do to make this a reality: 1. Share this fire ant eradication petition on your social media and by e-mail >> 2. Donate and support the fire ant tour >> https://invasives.org.au/donate/ 3. Sign-up for a fire ant event in your state >> https://invasives.org.au/national-fire-ant-forums/ We have a chance now to turn back the tide of a major invasive species – help us stamp out fire ants. Regards, Andrew Cox Chief Executive Officer