Buffel grass, of all things, is shaping up to be a serious election issue across the north as cattle people take the fight to Canberra to keep it off the Weed of National Significance list.
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Far from being a weed, buffel grass is a cornerstone of Australian red meat production and food security, they say.
As such, it is crucial to the resilience of many regional and remote communities.
A WoNS listing - which has been pushed by environmental lobbyists - would impose legislative restrictions, mandate removal efforts and initiate biological control research aimed at eradication.
The Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen's Association says national and state cattle advocacy bodies are united in complete opposition to the nomination of the drought-resistant pasture grass that thrives in sandy soils for the WONS.
Chief executive officer Bron Christensen said the National Established Weed Priorities Framework was intended to be a science-led, merit-based system to identify truly problematic weed species.
"Instead, this anonymous process is open to bias and misuse, risking the mis-identification of Buffel grass species as a WoNS," she said.
Alongside its value in beef production, buffel grass provides crucial ground cover preventing soil degradation and erosion, she said.
Cattle producers are calling for both an immediate halt to the buffel nomination and urgent reform of the NEWP process to ensure key economic or agronomic species are not targeted.
"This is the time for all parties to demonstrate their commitment to food security, regional areas and sustainable, drought-resilient pastures," Ms Christensen said.
Cattle Australia's chief executive officer Chris Parker said it was flawed ideology for buffel grass to be considered a weed of national significance when it had positive environmental, social and economic impacts for Australia, and was absolutely vital for Australia's agricultural and livestock industries.
Buffel grass shares no characteristics with actual weeds of national significance, he said.
"Australian beef producers play an essential role in managing our unique environment, last year spending $5.3 billion out of their own pockets in managing invasive plants, pests and diseases," Dr Parker said.
"They are acutely aware of the risks and costs associated with weed control, and as the land managers at the coalface of this issue, they will tell you buffel grass is an asset not a liability."
Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has also joined the chorus, saying buffel grass wasn't brought here by accident - it was introduced because it's one of the best options we've got.
"The Gulf and Peninsula were built on buffel, Brahman and bitumen," he said.
"Buffel grass is essential to the northern cattle industry, and to label it as a weed would be counter-intuitive, turning all of the north into a weed-infested dust bowl.
"Talk to any northern cattle farmer and they will tell you it is not just good cattle fed, buffel grass protects soil, cools the ground, sequesters carbon, and supports native fauna. Its deep-rooted resilience has dramatically improved rainwater efficiency and environmental sustainability across Australia."
Shan Goodwin
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
