We have conducted a risk analysis for the release of cabomba weevil (Hydrotimetes natans) for the biological control of the aquatic weed, cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana).
We conducted the risk analysis in two key steps:
- Released the draft report of the risk analysis for the release of Hydrotimetes natans for the biological control of Cabomba caroliniana on 12 November 2020, via Biosecurity Advice 2020/P12 for a 30 day consultation period, closing on 12 December 2020.
- Released the final report of the risk analysis in February 2021, following consideration of stakeholder submissions.
The final report recommends that the release of H. natans should be permitted, subject to standard quarantine conditions associated with the import and release of exotic biological control agents.
The final report has determined the overall risk associated with the release of H. natans to be Negligible. A risk estimate of Negligible achieves Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
The assessment of risk to off-target plants included consideration of the testing methodology used and the plant species test list, including non-target species tested in described experiments. The biology of H. natans was also considered.
The final report also contains details of the risk assessment process used for consideration of potential off-target effects associated with the proposed release of H. natans.
The application from CSIRO that was provided to the department was included with the final report.
Application for the release of Hydrotimetes natans for the biological control of Cabomba caroliniana
The risk analysis assesses the application made by CSIRO to release cabomba weevil (Hydrotimetes natans) to control cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) in Australia.
The published application report may not meet Australian Government accessibility guidelines as it has not been prepared by the department.
Download application
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
Application for the release of Hydrotimetes natans for the biological control of Cabomba caroliniana PDF |
66 | 4.4 MB |
Download final report
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
Download draft report
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
Next steps
Publication of the final risk analysis report represents the end of the risk analysis process. There is also an approval process within the department under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Risk analysis reports may be used by the Minister in making a determination to include the species on the List of specimens taken to be suitable for live import (the Live Import List). This approval process will occur following release of the final report. If the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry approves release of the biological control agent and the Live Import List is amended to include the agent, a letter will be sent to the applicant providing conditions of release.
Keep Informed
Register as a stakeholder
Subscribe to Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant via the department’s online subscription service to receive Biosecurity Advices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy.
Contact us
For more information, email imports or phone 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1).