Seedling Nursery Sabotaged
Posted on 11. Jul, 2010 by LynThomas in Business & Finance, Environment
Tomato prices could double after the mass poisoning of fruit and vegetable seedlings, in the winter food bowl of Australia, in a $23m industrial sabotage.
Two key nurseries were affected by the lethal dose of herbicide. The seedling nursery and a neighbouring hydroponic farm, where 16,000 mature tomato plants have also died, shared a joint irrigation system.
Karl Walker, growers association president said, “There is a estimated $50m loss to the region’s economy.” About 7 million plants, including 4 million tomato and 2 million capsicum seedlings, were poisoned.
Melon, eggplant, cucumber and pumpkin crops were also affected. Bowen’s Supa Seedlings nursery supplies seedlings for 30 of the region’s growers.
Acting Townsville police Detective Inspector, Dave Miles, says it appears to have been a deliberate act of sabotage. “The plants have received an application of water which has been mixed with the herbicide which has then led to the death of the plants.”
Farmers say crops in the area have been poisoned four times in the last eight years, 2002, 2006 and now 2010. However, none of the attacks have been on this scale.
“It may be as a result of competition, it may be a result of a grudge or vendetta or something, it could be directly related to another incident,” said Inspector Miles.
The Bowen region, about 200 kilometres south of Townsville, produces about 80 per cent of Australia’s fruit and vegetables during winter. Any price increases would not be felt until September, when the crops were due to appear on shelves.
Hugh Tobin, a spokesman for AusVeg, said the incident would disrupt the cycle of seasonal workers who follow the harvest through fruit-growing areas. There will also be flow on effects on the tourism and restaurant industry.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Mike Brunker wants the Queensland Government to fund a reward to help lead police to whoever is responsible for the attack.
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[...] Tomato prices could climb dramatically after the mass poisoning of vegetable and fruit seedlings, in Bowen, the winter food bowl of Australia, in a $23m industrial sabotage. Two key nurseries were affected by the lethal dose of herbicide. The seedling nursery and a neighbouring hydroponic farm, where 16,000 mature tomato plants have also died, shared a joint irrigation system. Read how it is the fourth time in 8 years… [...]