Studies have put the economic cost of pest and weeds at more than $1 billion each year.

NSW Labor Leader, Michael Daley, said farmers have been at war with weeds and pests in NSW for generations.

“By boosting expenditure on agencies like National Parks, Crown Lands and Local Land Services, we are fixing the environment, boosting productivity, and creating jobs in the regions to wage war on weeds and pests,” he said.

Labor also announced it would implement key recommendations of the Natural Resources Commission’s Weeds review.

Labor’s Stephen Lawrence said the regions are struggling with tough drought conditions.

“If we don’t act now to help industry get ahead of this threat, then weed infestation will become an even bigger problem when the drought finally breaks,” he said. “We have listened to those who have called for greater action of weeds and pests.”