Protocol for biological control agents

 

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Reporting Obligation

• Legislation: Phytosanitary Requirements/Restrictions/Prohibitions

Publication Date

15-12-2016

Last Updated

15-12-2016

Short Description

Biosecurity Australia has reviewed the process for host specificity testing and release of invertebrate or plant pathogenic biological control agents for the control of weeds and plant pests, and has aligned the guidelines with Australia?s Import Risk Analysis (IRA) process. Aplications for the release of new biological control agents will now be assessed under the regulated IRA process. The new guidelines will provide a more transparent and consultative process when assessing the risks posed by exotic biological control agents and will enable interested parties and stakeholders to comment on release applications. The new guidelines have been developed after consultation with biological control researchers, commonwealth, state and territory authorities. Exotic biological control agents have been imported into Australia to control, among other things, weeds and invertebrate pests. There is inherent risk associated with the release of pathogenic, herbivorous, predatory or parasitic organisms into the Australian environment. Australia needs to be assured that the introduced organisms do not significantly affect species other than the approved target. Targets for exotic biological control agents, such as weeds or invertebrate pests of plants, must continue to be approved by the appropriate ministerial council. Biological control agents will also continue to be subject to separate regulation by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

Contact for Info

Plant Biosecurity GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia [email protected]

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Report files

Website

http://www.daff.gov.au/ba/reviews/biological_control_agents