news, local-news, weed, advocate, Tasmania, drugs, Jacqui Petrusma, politics, agriculture

Tasmania is set to get a dedicated ‘weed advocate’ but the job has nothing to do with the decriminalisation of recreational drugs. The advocate will work with landowners, community members and different levels of government to help tackle invasive weeds. The position was created as part of a $5 million Weed Action Fund announced by the Liberal Party during the 2018 state election. RELATED: Dr Hardie on the future of agricultural technology Acting Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jacquie Petrusma said the fund would “ensure we can step up the fight against significant agricultural and environmental weeds”. “It is estimated that weeds cost Australian farmers around $1.5 billion a year in weed control activities, and a further $2.5 billion a year in lost agricultural production,” she said. “Working in partnership with weeds and invasive species experts, the Weed Advocate will support the delivery of the Weed Action Fund and assist in identifying the strategic on-ground priorities.” The Tasmania Weed Advocate will work with Biosecurity Tasmania’s weeds and invasive species experts to identify the strategic on-ground priorities across land tenures. They will also coordinate the Weed Action Fund and advise the government. The state government is currently calling for expressions of interest.

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