Dear editor,

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program is committed to providing accurate and trustworthy information.

Claims published on ipswichtribune.com.au on 15 January 2025, stating that there is no data on the effects of pyriproxyfen or S-methoprene used to eradicate fire ants, are simply false.

Australia has a rigorous system for regulating pesticides. Applicants must submit extensive data to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to obtain permits for pesticide use.

For over 20 years, the APVMA has assessed, registered and/or permitted all products used to treat fire ants, ensuring their safety for people, animals, and the environment. Our permits to use pyriproxyfen and S-methoprene would be revoked if there were any evidence of harm.

The suggestion that pesticides could be used without proper assessment and approval is, once again, false.

Misinformation and baseless claims about our program and treatment products mislead the public, create unnecessary fear, and compromise the safety of all Australians. Not providing our program the right of reply and publishing unbalanced and bias content, also violates journalistic ethics.

Eradicating fire ants is a national priority due to their devastating impacts on our health, environment, economy, and outdoor way of life.

Our program is world-leading and is committed to eradicating fire ants and protecting Australian communities from this threat.

Baseless claims will not deter us from continuing this important work.

Sincerely,

Michael Homden
Executive Program Director
National Fire Ant Eradication Program

• Editor’s Note

THE Ipswich Tribune is committed to providing accurate and trustworthy information and has included interviews and data links from credited experts in their field, US and European government reports and peer-reviewed journals.

We have spoken to residents first-hand about what they have said is the heavy-handed and often clumsy fire ant program.

A Senate Inquiry last year condemned the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) for what it said was a lack of transparency and wastefulness. Dr Pam Swepson, who worked for the Department’s fire ant program as a policy officer, described the eradication program as an “absolute shambles.”

The NFAEP on its website recommends the use of pyriproxyfen, made by Sumitomo, with products such as Distance Plus.

The link provided below shows that Sumitomo has no data available for biodegradability, bioaccumulation, or mobility in the soil. It says it is harmful to aquatic life with long last effects.

The NFAEP also promotes the use of indoxacarb which was developed by DuPont, the company that polluted drinking water in the US with PFAS.

Indoxacarb has been shown by the US Environmental Protection Agency as showing neurotoxicity in studies in rats and mice, which was characterised by weakness, head tilting, and abnormal gait or mobility with inability to stand.

Meanwhile, another pesticide NFAEP promotes is fipronil. This chemical is banned in the US and 45 other countries. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has classified fipronil as a group C (possible human) carcinogen based on an increase in thyroid follicular cell tumours in both sexes of the rat.

The program promotes the application of S-Methoprene, which is known to kill non-target insects, such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

The links to some documents can be found below:

https://sumitomo-chem.com.au/sites/default/files/sds-label/distance_plus_ant_bait_sds_202105.pdf

https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/registration/fs_PC-067710_30-Oct-10.pdf

https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.12372