Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 16 August 2011:

With reference to the answer to Question no. 2 taken on notice during the 2011-12 Budget Estimates of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee:

(1) From what date were fox scats stored at minus 80 degrees centigrade for at least 48 hours.

(2) Given that Dr Zammit indicated that he would have to check records around conversations dealing with the issues of disease and hydatids, on what date or dates were these discussions held and were they held prior to the importation of fox scats, or the commencement of the importation of fox scats to Tasmania.

(3) What has been the total weight of fox scats imported from November 2007 to May 2008.

(4) Were any fox scats imported into Tasmania without the treatment of being stored at minus 80 degrees centigrade for at least 48 hours; if so, where appropriate, state by weight of by number of scats, the amount that was imported.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The process of freezing scats at minus 80 degrees centigrade commenced in February 2010.

(2) This issue was subject to a number of general discussions within the state department. Particular conversations or communication occurred in October and November 2007 and August and November 2009.

(3) The total weight of imported fox scats between November 2007 and May 2008 was 945 grams.

(4) The process of freezing scats commenced in February 2010, since this time scats have been stored at minus 80 degrees centigrade for at least 48 hours.