Risk analysis for the release of Kordyana brasiliensis for the biological control of Tradescantia fluminensis
We conducted a risk analysis for the release of the fungus Kordyana brasiliensis for the biological control of the weed ‘Wandering Trad’ (Tradescantia fluminensis).
We conducted the risk analysis in two key steps:
- Released the draft report of the risk analysis for the release of Kordyana brasiliensis for the biological control of Tradescantia fluminensis on 11 October 2018, via Biosecurity Advice 2018-27 for a 30 day consultation period, closing on 12 November 2018.
- Released the final report of the risk analysis on 14 December 2018 via Biosecurity Advice 2018-32, following consideration of stakeholder submissions.
Summary of the risk analysis for the release of Kordyana brasiliensis for the biological control of Tradescantia fluminensis
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has undertaken this risk analysis to assess the proposal by CSIRO to release Kordyana brasiliensis for the biological control of Tradescantia fluminensis in Australia.
The final report recommends that the release of K. brasiliensis should be permitted, subject to standard quarantine conditions associated with the import and release of biological control agents.
The risk associated with the release of a biological control agent is a combination of the likelihood of off-target effects and the potential magnitude of the consequences of any off-target effects. The final report has taken into account the results of the host specificity testing submitted in the release application to assess whether the risk meets Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
Kordyana brasiliensis has been satisfactorily demonstrated to be highly host specific to T. fluminensis. The proposed fungal agent is considered to successfully complete its life cycle only on T. fluminensis, and no basidiospore-producing lesions have been observed to develop on tested non-target plant taxa. The risk estimate for release of K. brasiliensis achieves the ALOP for Australia.
The application and supporting documents from CSIRO that were provided to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have been included with the final report.
The published application report may not meet Australian Government accessibility guidelines as it has not been prepared by the department.
Download the application
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
Application for the release of Kordyana brasiliensis for the biological control of Tradescantia fluminensis PDF |
50 | 2.2 MB |
Download the final report
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Download the draft report
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Next steps
Publication of the final risk analysis report represents the end of the risk analysis process. Following the risk analysis process, if the department approves release of the biological control agent, the applicant will be contacted and informed of the release process and provided with conditions of release.
General information
Register as a stakeholder
The Biosecurity Plant Division uses the stakeholder register for distributing biosecurity risk analysis policy information to registered stakeholders. Stakeholders interested in receiving information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses are invited to subscribe via the department’s online subscription service. By subscribing to Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant, you will receive Biosecurity Advices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy.
Appropriate level of protection
The appropriate level of protection (ALOP) for Australia is defined in the Biosecurity Act 2015 as ‘a high level of sanitary and phytosanitary protection aimed at reducing biosecurity risks to very low, but not to zero’. This definition was agreed with all our state and territory governments and recognises that a zero-risk stance is impractical.
The ALOP is a broad objective, and risk management measures are established to achieve that objective.
Read more about Australia’s ALOP
New scientific information
Scientific information can be provided to us at any time, even after a risk analysis has been completed. We will consider the information provided and review the analysis.
Contact information
For more information, stakeholders can email imports or phone 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1).