03 Oct 2005

UPDATE

Biological control of broom: ERMA application

The Canterbury Broom Control Trust wants to introduce three insects from Europe to attack broom in New Zealand. Broom is a serious weed for foresters and farmers in central North Island and upcountry South Island. The spread of broom may also threaten native plant communities, even above the tree line.

An application to introduce the insects will be submitted to ERMA (the Environmental Risk Management Authority) just before Christmas.

The application has not been written yet, and before it is, the Trust wants to find out your views. These can then be acknowledged and addressed in the application. There will be another opportunity for public comment once the application is submitted.

“Central to the application will be a report on research showing that these agents will be safe in New Zealand” said Richard Hill, who will be writing the application on behalf of the Trust.

“The Trust knows that most Maori dislike the prospect of introducing new organisms, but this the only way of getting control of broom in remote places.” It will be up to ERMA to assess whether the overall benefits of the application outweigh the concerns and risks.

If you want to know more, or to make your views known, please contact Richard on 03 325 6400, or at hillr@crop.cri.nz

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Consultation on the Introduction of Two New Insects

Posted 9th May 2005

The West Coast Ragwort Control Trust wants to introduce two insects from Europe to New Zealand to attack ragwort, a weed causing grief to farmers in that region.  An application will be submitted to ERMA (the Environmental Risk Management Authority) in late May.  Before this application is written the Trust wants to find out your views so these can be acknowledged and addressed in the application.  There will also be an opportunity for public comment on the application once it is submitted.

These insects are likely to spread throughout New Zealand in time, and they could help Maori farmers who have big problems with ragwort.  They are already helping farmers in Tasmania and Victoria.  Research has shown that these insects won’t damage native plant populations, and that evidence will be presented in the application. 

“The Trust knows that some people have negative views about this sort of proposal and we want to hear those concerns” said Richard Hill who is writing the application on behalf of the Trust.

If you want to know more, or to make your views known please contact Richard Hill, 03 325 6400, or at hillr@crop.cri.nz