UQ School of Economics academic and our DECRA grant winner, Dr David Adamson, has been part of a panel presenting their findings to the Federal Government recently. The panel’s recommendations are that there is now a small window of opportunity to eradicate the Red Imported Fire Ant from Australia.
Previous modelling estimated a $25:1 return on investment, but the board considered this an underestimation due to the additional threats fire ants posed to capital equipment (NBN and private business investment), society (sports activities, public health) and the ecosystem, that had not been included in the modelling results.
Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP, released a media statement on the issue.
Congratulations to David for his part in this important piece of research.
