Date of issue: 12 October 2026
Date of effect: Immediate
Expiry: UFN
Reference Number: IAN 2026-06
Attention
Organic operators and exporters, approved certifying bodies, industry bodies.
Purpose
To advise of the red imported fire ant treatment, as required by the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, on organic and bio-dynamic properties in Queensland certified to export under the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce.
Key points
Orillion Fire Ant Plus is approved to treat red imported fire ants on organic and bio-dynamic properties in Queensland certified to export under the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce (National Standard).
This treatment product has been assessed as compliant with the National Standard.
Application of the treatment product is conducted by the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) or authorised persons under their direction.
In accordance with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) permit, the treatment product must be used on red imported fire ant mounds only on certified organic or bio-dynamic properties, and specifically:
- in non-production areas that are outside the areas used for cropping and/or animal production; or
- in a manner that ensures that food/feed commodities (including all crops) and food producing animals do not come into contact with the product.
The treatment product is applied by direct nest injection and/or as a nest drench and treated nests must not be disturbed for at least 7 days following treatment.
Any goods directly contaminated with the treatment product must be prevented from being certified as organic or bio-dynamic, sold as organic or bio-dynamic, and entering the export chain.
The NFAEP will work with certified operators to determine the best treatment strategy for a property or work site.
Organic operators in New South Wales should contact NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPI) in the first instance for treatment advice at invasive.species@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
This organic notice replaces the previously issued organic notice IAN 2024-06.
Instructions
Certified operators must notify their approved certifying body prior to the treatment product being applied by the NFAEP on their properties and keep records of the treatment.
Records must include:
- a map clearly defining treated areas and the dates treatment was applied;
- how treatment was applied; and
- measures taken to prevent direct contact with food/feed commodities (including all crops) and food-producing animals intended for sale as certified organic or bio-dynamic.
Certified operators must make these records available to their approved certifying body on request and/or at annual audits. Records must be kept for a period of at least 5 years, in accordance with the requirements of the National Standard.
Background
Fire ants are a serious pest in Australia. They cause extensive damage to Australia’s ecological and agricultural systems.
The NFAEP is a nationally cost-shared program funded by all Australian state and territory governments, and the Federal Government.
In 2001, the NFAEP was established to eradicate fire ants from Australia. As the combat state, the Queensland Government oversees the delivery of the national program in Queensland, via Biosecurity Queensland.
Following detections in northern New South Wales since 2023, NSW DPI oversees emergency responses in New South Wales and works with the NFAEP in undertaking fire ant treatments in New South Wales.
Under the Export Control (Organic Goods) Rules 2021, the export of organic or bio-dynamic goods is prohibited unless the exporter of the goods holds an organic goods certificate.
Further information
Contact OrganicExports@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.
The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.