17 June 2021
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This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the final report for the release of the rust fungus, Puccinia cnici-oleracei (ex. Conyza) for the biological control of the weed, flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis).
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.
The final report takes into account comments received from stakeholders on the draft report released on 1 April 2021.
The final report recommends that the biological control agent, Puccinia cnici-oleracei (ex. Conyza), should be released to control the weed, flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis). The risk is estimated to be Negligible, which achieves Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
The applicant, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), provided a submission in support of its 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.
The department announced the release of the draft report for public consultation on 1 April 2021. Two submissions were received during the consultation period and both submissions supported the outcomes of the draft report.
The final report and more information about this risk analysis are available on our website. Printed copies of the report are available on request.
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 Chris Parker
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division
Telephone: 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1)
Email: imports@aff.gov.au