CACTUS Month is a state government initiative to help stop the spread of cacti infestations in WA, which pose a threat to agriculture and the environment.
This week Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan launched a new comprehensive manual on how to control invasive cacti.
Ms MacTiernan said during Cactus Month, the government was urging landholders and community groups to spot, report and control weedy cactus to stop infestations from spreading.
She said the Managing Opuntioid Cacti in Australia manual provided easily accessible information on control options, bringing together the expertise of government, community groups and land managers across Australia.
“This manual provides a fantastic resource to help landholders boost their control efforts, presenting a step-by-step guide, from understanding and identifying cacti, through to developing and implementing a strategic approach to management and control,’’ she said.
The manual was developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA) together with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, supported by the federal government through its established pest animals and weeds initiative.
An electronic version of the manual is available at http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/invasive-species/cactus-month-2017
