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Risk analysis report for the release of Puccinia rapipes for the biological control of Lycium ferocissimum

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Consultation has concluded

We have finalised the risk analysis for the proposed release of the rust fungus Puccinia rapipes into Australia. The purpose of this release is to control African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), a Weed of National Significance (WONS). African boxthorn is a difficult and costly to control agricultural and environmental weed in Australia.

The use of exotic biological control agents to control invertebrate pests, weeds and other organisms has been common in Australia for many years. Releasing pathogenic, herbivorous, predatory or parasitic organisms into the Australian environment can have potential “off-target” risks. This means risk to other plants or invertebrate animals not targeted by the biological control agent.

We began this risk analysis in response to an application to release Puccinia rapipes to control African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum). The application was submitted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment will not commence an assessment to release a biological control agent unless the target pest species has been approved by an appropriate government body. Lycium ferocissimum was approved by the former Invasive Plants and Animals Committee (IPAC), now the Environment and Invasives Committee (EIC) in August 2016.

All comments received on the draft risk analysis were considered in finalising the risk analysis. You can read the final risk analysis report.

The final risk analysis report outlines the identified biosecurity risks associated with the release of Puccinia rapipes for the biological control of African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), and proposed risk management measures.

We have finalised the risk analysis for the proposed release of the rust fungus Puccinia rapipes into Australia. The purpose of this release is to control African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), a Weed of National Significance (WONS). African boxthorn is a difficult and costly to control agricultural and environmental weed in Australia.

The use of exotic biological control agents to control invertebrate pests, weeds and other organisms has been common in Australia for many years. Releasing pathogenic, herbivorous, predatory or parasitic organisms into the Australian environment can have potential “off-target” risks. This means risk to other plants or invertebrate animals not targeted by the biological control agent.

We began this risk analysis in response to an application to release Puccinia rapipes to control African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum). The application was submitted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment will not commence an assessment to release a biological control agent unless the target pest species has been approved by an appropriate government body. Lycium ferocissimum was approved by the former Invasive Plants and Animals Committee (IPAC), now the Environment and Invasives Committee (EIC) in August 2016.

All comments received on the draft risk analysis were considered in finalising the risk analysis. You can read the final risk analysis report.

The final risk analysis report outlines the identified biosecurity risks associated with the release of Puccinia rapipes for the biological control of African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), and proposed risk management measures.