EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Amendment to the List of Specimens Taken to be Suitable for Live Import
in accordance with paragraph 303EC (1) (a)
(Issued under Authority of the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities)
Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), a live specimen is allowed to be imported only if it is included on the list of specimens suitable for live import.
The list was established in accordance with s.303EB of the EPBC Act and has two Parts.
Part 1 comprises species exempt from the need for an import permit under the EPBC Act. Part 2 comprises species that can be imported with a permit under the EPBC Act.
The effect of this instrument is to add Plectonycha correntina (a leaf-feeding beetle), to Part 1 of the list of specimens suitable for live import. Including this species in the list will allow the import of live specimens of P. correntina. The purpose of importing this species into Australia is for biological control of Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia). Madeira vine, which is native to South America, is a serious environmental weed of south-eastern Queensland and northern NSW.
Amendments to the list of specimens suitable for live import can be made either on the initiative of the Minister or by application. This list amendment was initiated by an application from Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation, under s.303EE of the EPBC Act.
In determining whether to amend the list of specimens suitable for live import to include P. correntina, the Minister considered a risk analysis report prepared by Biosecurity Australia in accordance with s.303EE(4) of the EPBC Act. The report identified no significant off-target effects or potential consequences that would be associated with the release of P. correntina. The risk is estimated to be negligible, which meets Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP). A copy of the Final Risk Analysis Report is available at the following website: http://www.daff.gov.au/ba/reviews/biological_control_agents/risk_analyses/completed_risk_analyses/plectonycha_correntina/final_risk_analysis_report_for_the_release_of_plectonycha_correntina
In accordance with s.303EC(3) other appropriate state, territory and Australian Government ministers were consulted. In this case, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities consulted with all state and territory ministers for the environment and the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Comments were provided to Biosecurity Australia to be addressed in their assessment.
The Minister considered that listing this species poses little risk to the Australian environment.
This instrument is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
Following completion of the disallowance period, the instrument will take effect on the date of publication in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.