Tuesday, 9 December 2025

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:50): (2081) My question is to the Minister for Agriculture. The Bellarine Peninsula is home to many market gardeners and vegetable growers. The minister will be aware that last year tomato potato psyllid – TPP – was detected on the Bellarine, placing the area under quarantine. A constituent has contacted me, concerned the department is not properly resourced to enforce these quarantine controls, allegedly allowing prohibited products to leave the zone. Disastrously, TPP is now reported in northern Melbourne near the wholesale markets, well outside the previously restricted zone. The Queensland government yesterday revoked Victoria’s area freedom certificate. Tasmania is also introducing restrictions. Minister, will you investigate why containment failed and explain the cost of the outbreak for all Victorian exporters, for flower growers as well as vegetable producers? Finally, could new requirements compel pesticide use on organic farms and backyard growers?