18 July 2012
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders that a policy recommendation has been made to allow release of the geometrid moth Eueupithecia cisplatensis for the biological control of the weed Parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata). Release of Eueupithecia cisplatensis may be permitted, subject to standard quarantine conditions associated with the import and release of biological control agents.
DAFF Biosecurity has completed a risk analysis assessing an application from CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences to release the geometrid moth, Eueupithecia cisplatensis for the biological control of the weed Parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata). In support of this application, CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences provided a submission detailing results of host specificity testing, along with other relevant information. This submission is included as an appendix to the final risk analysis.
A draft risk analysis report was released for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period on 18 April 2012. Written submissions from 7 stakeholders were considered in the preparation of the final report. All stakeholders supported the release of Eueupithecia cisplatensis for the biological control of Parkinsonia.
CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences submitted an application for the release of Eueupithecia cisplatensis in October 2011.
The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC) also has an approval process for the import and release of biological control agents under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. Under Section 303EE (4) of the EPBC Act, this final risk analysis report may be used by the responsible Minister in making a determination to include the item on the List of specimens suitable for live import (the live import list). DAFF Biosecurity has consulted with DSEWPC prior to the release of the final report and it has endorsed the findings of this report.
The final report has identified no significant off-target effects or potential consequences that would be associated with the release of Eueupithecia cisplatensis. The risk is estimated to be negligible, which meets Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
Printed copies can be provided, if required.
In accordance with the IRA handbook 2011, this risk analysis has been undertaken as a non-regulated analysis of existing policy.
Dr Colin J Grant
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant
Contact: Dr Kat Smith
Telephone: +61 2 6272 3933
Facsimile: +61 2 6272 3307