The National Fire Ant Eradication Program is the world’s only fire ant eradication initiative. It is also Australia’s largest biosecurity eradication program.
Our work is governed strategically and operationally by a National Management Group, with the work delivered by Biosecurity Queensland in partnership with the community.
The National Management Group includes representatives from states, territories and the Commonwealth.
The work done by the Queensland Government’s Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce (FAST) complements our eradication efforts. FAST focuses on equipping all levels of government, industry and communities in areas awaiting planned treatment, with the skills and knowledge to self-manage fire ants on land they own or manage.
We also work closely with international scientists and some of the country’s most experienced risk management experts in the design and implementation of our eradication activities.
We have eradicated many incursions in Australia but eradicating this pest is far from easy. No other country in the world has successfully eradicated an incursion as large as the one in Queensland. In fact, many countries, including the United States and China, have given up.
Potential spread of fire ants map (PDF, 6.4MB)