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Staff Assessment Report APP202887: An application to release the arundo wasp (Tetramesa romana) and the arundo scale insect (Rhizaspidiotus donacis), two biological control agents for the weed giant reed (Arundo donax). November 2016 Purpose To introduce a gall forming wasp (Tetramesa romana) and a scale insect (Rhizaspidiotus donacis) to control giant reed (Arundo donax) Application number APP202887 Application type Notified, Full Release Applicant Northland Regional Council Date formally received 12 September 2016 2 EPA advice for application APP202887 Executive Summary and Recommendation In September 2016, Northland Regional Council made an application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) seeking to introduce the arundo wasp (Tetramesa romana) and arundo scale insect (Rhizaspidiotus donacis) as biological control agents for the weed giant reed (Arundo donax) which is distantly related to native New Zealand grass species. We assessed the benefits (positive effects) and risks and costs (adverse effects) of introducing the two biocontrol agents to New Zealand and found that the benefits relating to environmental outcomes to be significant and the adverse effects negligible. We consider it likely that biological control of giant reed will improve biodiversity values and conservation of protected natural habitats. We also consider it likely that biocontrol of giant reed will reduce flooding events and limit extraction of water where native vegetation compete for resources in semi-dry to dry regions. We note that this proactive biocontrol programme could reduce the weed's future effects minimising its distribution into sensitive environments. We consider it very unlikely for arundo wasp and arundo scale insect to pose risks to native or valued plants in New Zealand. There are no native species in the Arundo genus, to which the two insects are host specific, shown in containment and field tests. There are also no other valued species within this genus in New Zealand. We also evaluated the possible indirect effects of the two agents, including apparent competition, and found it unlikely for arundo wasp and arundo scale insect to have adverse impacts on ecosystems. The EPA staff assessment report also discusses the effects of the two insects on the relationship of Māori to their environment, and measures the agents against the minimum standards in the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO Act). We conclude that the arundo wasp and arundo scale insect meet the minimum standards. Our assessment found the benefits of releasing the arundo wasp and arundo scale insect outweigh any identified risks and costs and recommend that the application be approved. November 2016 3 EPA advice for application APP202887 Table of Contents Executive Summary and Recommendation .......................................................................................... 2 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. 3 1. Purpose of this document ............................................................................................................ 4 2. Application process ..................................................................................................................... 4 3. Submissions ................................................................................................................................ 4 4. Submissions from DOC and MPI ................................................................................................ 4 5. Giant reed as the target weed ..................................................................................................... 5 6. Organisms proposed for release ............................................................................................... 10 7. Risk assessment ....................................................................................................................... 13 8. Assessment of benefits (positive effects) .................................................................................. 13 9. Assessment of the risks and costs ............................................................................................ 17 10. Conclusion on benefits and risk assessment ............................................................................ 23 11. Relationship of Māori to the environment .................................................................................. 24 12. Minimum Standards................................................................................................................... 26 13. Can arundo wasp and arundo scale insect establish undesirable self-sustaining populations?28 14. Recommendation ...................................................................................................................... 29 Appendix 1: Summary of submissions ................................................................................................ 34 Appendix 2: Submission from Department of Conservation ................................................................ 36 Appendix 3: Māori Reference Group Report ....................................................................................... 47 November 2016 4 EPA advice for application APP202887 1. Purpose of this document On 12 September 2016, Northland Regional Council applied to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to introduce the arundo wasp (Tetramesa romana) and the arundo scale insect (Rhizaspidiotus donacis), to control the weed giant reed (Arundo donax) in New Zealand. This document has been prepared by EPA staff to advise the Decision-making Committee on our risk assessment for the release of the arundo wasp and arundo scale insect. The document discusses the information provided in the application, information readily available in scientific literature, and information submitted to the EPA during the public notification process. 2. Application process Northland Regional Council lodged an application with the EPA on 12 September 2016 seeking approval to release the arundo wasp and the arundo scale insect under section 34 of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act (the Act). The application was publicly notified, and open for submissions for 30 working days on 21 September 2016 as required by section 53(1)(b) of the Act. The submission period ended on 3 November 2016. 3. Submissions We received eight submissions on this application. The submissions are summarised in Appendix 1. Seven submitters supported the application and one submitter opposed the application. We received submissions from Cecelia Martin who opposes the application, Clinton Care, Dr John Liddle (New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated), Davor Bejakovich (Greater Wellington Regional Council), Holly Cox (Auckland Council), Gerry Te Kapa Coates (Ngāi Tahu HSNO Komiti), David Havell (Department of Conservation) and Philippa Rawlinson (Federated Farmers) who all support the application. None of the submitters explicitly requested to be heard at a public hearing. However, Gerry Coates notes that Ngāi Tahu HSNO Komiti may wish to appear to speak to their submission if a hearing is requested by other submitters. Similarly, David Havell from DOC does not request a hearing to be held, but will be present in support of the application if a hearing is convened. Since no submitter requested that a hearing be held to speak to their submission a hearing will not take place for this application. 4. Submissions from DOC and MPI As required by the Act and the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Methodology) Order 1998, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Department of Conservation (DOC) were notified of the application and provided with the opportunity to comment. MPI did not make any comments on the application. November 2016 5 EPA advice for application APP202887 DOC supports the application. Their full submission is included in Appendix 2. 5. Giant reed as the target weed The biology and ecology of Arundo donax Giant reed is a tall (2 to 10 m) and robust bamboo or reed-like perennial grass. It is native to the Mediterranean and Caspian Basins, Arabian Peninsula and east to the Indian subcontinent (Goolsby, Moran et al. 2016). It is thought to have been introduced internationally during colonisation as an ornamental, for bank stabilisation and as a source of fibre. It can now be found growing throughout the Americas, Southern Africa, South-East Asia, and Oceania including the Pacific Islands. Giant reed has a strong root structure, which grows extensively via fleshy carbohydrate-rich rootstocks or rhizomes that penetrate deep into the soil and produce many stems that grow as hollow cane-like stems above ground. This generates large colonies of giant reed plants that directly impact the environment it invades. Giant reed’s stems are hard and brittle, with a smooth glossy surface that turns pale yellow (CABI 2015). Giant reed is now recognised by authoritative biological invasion resources internationally as a serious global threat to ecosystems. The Global Invasive Species Database, which is managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has identified giant reed to be amongst the 100 worst invasive species (GISD 2016). The Centre of Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) is an international not-for-profit organisation working to solve problems in agriculture and the
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