11 October 2018
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the final risk analysis report for the proposed release of the gall fly Cecidochares connexa for the biological control of the weed Chromolaena odorata (commonly known as chromolaena).
The final report recommends that the biological control agent should be released, subject to standard import and release conditions associated with exotic biological control agents.
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the final report for the release of the gall fly Cecidochares connexa for the biological control of the weed Chromolaena odorata (commonly known as chromolaena).
In support of the application from Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the applicant provided a submission detailing results of host specificity testing, together with other relevant information. This submission is included as an attachment to the final report.
A preliminary draft of this 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). There was no opposition to the release of Cecidochares connexa.
The department announced the release of the draft report for public consultation on 18 July 2018 (Biosecurity Advice 2018/13). No comments were received during the public consultation period.
The Department of the Environment and Energy also has an approval process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Under Section 303EE (4) of the EPBC Act, risk analysis reports prepared by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources may be used by the Minister for the Environment and Energy 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 and Water Resources has consulted with the Department of the Environment and Energy prior to the release of the final report.
The final report recommends that the gall fly should be released to control chromolaena. The risk is estimated to be Negligible, which achieves Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
The final report and information about the risk analysis process are available from the department’s website. Printed copies of the report are available on request.
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, including this risk analysis
Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith
Acting First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division
Telephone: 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1)
Email: Imports