5 March 2014
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders that a policy recommendation has been made to allow release of the geometrid moth Eueupithecia sp.2 for the biological control of the weed Parkinsonia aculeata. Release of Eueupithecia sp.2 may be permitted, subject to standard quarantine conditions associated with the import and release of biological control agents.
The Department of Agriculture has completed a risk analysis assessing an application from CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences to release the geometrid moth Eueupithecia sp.2 for the biological control of the weed Parkinsonia aculeata. In support of this application, CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences has provided a submission detailing results of host specificity testing, along with other relevant information. This submission is included as an attachment to the final risk analysis.
CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences submitted an application for the release of the moth Eueupithecia sp.2 in July 2013.
A preliminary draft risk analysis report was distributed to state and territory departments of primary industry and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) through the Plant Health Committee (PHC). Comments received via this consultation process were incorporated into the draft risk analysis report. All comments endorsed the preliminary draft and its recommendations.
A draft risk analysis report was released for a 30 day stakeholder consultation period on 19 December 2013. Written submissions from 3 stakeholders were considered in the preparation of the final report. All comments endorsed the draft and its recommendations.
The Department of the Environment also has an approval process 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). The Department of Agriculture has consulted with the Department of the Environment 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 sp.2. 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.