Inspections of nurseries and florists to begin in the Limestone Coast

Limestone Coast Landscape Officers will inspect nurseries and florists in the region for compliance with declared pest plants prohibited from sale in South Australia.

The inspections are the next step following communication provided to nurseries and florists enabling them to undertake a self-assessment prior to the visit.

Limestone Coast Landscape Board Landscape Operations Manager Mike Stevens said the sale of declared plants was a potential source of weeds and risk to agriculture, environment, biodiversity and industry in the region.

“The cost of weeds to Australian agriculture is estimated at over $4b each year,” he said.

“It is cheaper and easier to prevent the arrival of a new weeds rather than tackle the pest once it has established.

“The inspections of nurseries and florists that will be undertaken by Landscape Officers for the Limestone Coast Landscape Board creates a great opportunity to work with business owners to ensure we are working collaboratively to protect our region from new weeds.”

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board oversees the control for declared pest plants and animals in the region which, along with inspections of nurseries and florists, includes roadside weed control and support for landholders to control pest plants on their land.

“Our Landscape Officers are here to help and are available to support nurseries, florists and landholders across the region,” Mr Stevens said.

“They provide best practice resources, weed identification support and advice regarding the disposal and control of declared plants to assist with ensuring declared plants are not inadvertently sold.”

Plants considered as a serious threat are banned from being sold in South Australia under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.