Eagle-eyed find in Bunnings item prompts biosecurity investigation

A biosecurity investigation is underway after a Bunnings customer found a suspected rice plant in a broom imported from China.

In a social media post, the customer said he found the plant in a straw broom and alerted both the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Bunnings.

Bunnings has since removed the product from sale and is in contact with authorities.

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"We take our commitment to Biosecurity very seriously and work with our suppliers and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to ensure our products meet all relevant biosecurity and import regulations," a Bunnings spokesperson said.

"As soon as we became aware of these concerns and out of an abundance of caution, we removed the brooms from sale while we investigate with our two suppliers of Millett brooms and the quarantine regulator."

Bunnings added that all appropriate biosecurity measures were taken when the product was imported.

"We strictly follow the biosecurity requirements for all imported products and can confirm the product underwent heat treatments at high temperatures for 24 hours and methyl bromide fumigation to ensure any seed material that may be remaining is unable to germinate," the spokesperson said.

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The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is investigating the report about "millet brooms containing rice seed being sold at hardware stores in Australia".

"We are working with the retailer to ensure the goods are secured while the investigation continues," a spokesperson said.

"We are in the process of checking whether the brooms have been appropriately treated to mitigate any biosecurity risk or require additional treatment.

"Contaminant seeds can present a potential pathway for the introduction of plant pathogens. Our import conditions manage these risks through the application of import requirements which require a biosecurity treatment."

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