6 November 2025
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the final risk analysis report for the release of the leaf spot pathogen, Neoramulariopsis unguis-cati for the biological control of the weed, cat’s claw creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati).
This final report recommends that the biological control agent should be permitted to be released, subject to standard import and release conditions associated with exotic biological control agents.
No comments were received from stakeholders on the draft report, which was released on 31 July 2025.
The final report recommends that the biological control agent, Neoramulariopsis unguis-cati, should be permitted to be released to control the weed, cat’s claw creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati). The risk is estimated to be Negligible, which achieves Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
The applicant, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI), provided a submission in support of their application to release the biological control agent. The submission detailed the results of host-specificity testing, together with other relevant information. This submission is included as an attachment to the final report.
We released the draft report for public consultation on 31 July 2025 (Biosecurity Advice 2025-P04). No submissions were received during the consultation period.
The final report and more information about this risk analysis are available on the Neoramulariopsis unguis-cati for the biological control of Dolichandra unguis-cati risk analysis page.
We invite stakeholders interested in receiving information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses to subscribe via our online subscription service. By subscribing to ‘Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant’, you will receive Biosecurity Advices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy, including this risk analysis.
Dr Peter Finnin
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
Telephone: 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1)
Email: imports@aff.gov.au.