Buffel kerfuffle: should the invasive grass be listed as a weed of national significance in Australia?

Invasive buffel grass is destroying native rangelands and increasing bushfire risk, but farmers say eradicating it would 'cripple the beef industry'Sign up for the Rural Network email newsletterBuffel is a simple grass causing an almighty kerfuffle across the country as it progresses through nomination as a weed of national significance.The perennial grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) is native to Africa and was accidentally introduced to the Australian outback via seeds hitchhiking on camel harnesses, before being deliberately planted through the early and mid-20th century as a summer-growing pasture. It grows in tall tufts with a fluffy flowering head and has spread through the arid and semi-arid rangelands of inland Australia.Sign up to receive Guardian Australia's fortnightly Rural Network email newsletter Continue reading...