The lobby group for turf growers in Queensland says efforts to eradicate fire ants are failing and that their spread is "only a matter of time".
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said it was a precaution while biosecurity officers investigated how the fire ants escaped the containment zone. "But this is where all the carrier groups are: this is where the mulch, the hay, the turf, the quarries, this is where they all are. Fire ant stings can cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.
"Just like turf, fire ants actually love rain because that's when they are signalled to go up and mate and move," she said.Ms Manning said there would be further meetings with the turf industry this week to discuss ways to improve eradication measures and support the industry."We're designed to move from the outside in, and actually squeeze them in and control their populations, and we are having success with that," she said.