21 April 2022
Download
If you have difficulty accessing this file, visit web accessibility for assistance.
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the final risk analysis report for the release of the leaf-mining moth, Stomphastis thraustica for the biological control of the weed, bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia).
The 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.
The final report takes into account comments received from stakeholders on the draft report released on 19 November 2021.
The final report recommends that the biological control agent, Stomphastis thraustica, should be permitted to be released to control the weed, bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia). The risk is estimated to be Negligible, which achieves Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
The applicant, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF), 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 19 November 2021. Two submissions were received during the consultation period, details of these submissions are available in the final report. Following the consultation period for the draft report, the department was advised by QDAF that the species formerly known as Stomphastis sp. nov. in the application has now been identified as Stomphastis thraustica. The final report and application have been updated to reflect the species level identification.
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@awe.gov.au