Transcript Applicant's Presentation at hearing (4) (.ppt)

National Biocontrol
Collective Assessment
Protocol
Why?
NBC has agreed it has an obligation to
assess the impact of weed biocontrol agents
it has developed and released.
For more detail:
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/a
ssets/pdf_file/0005/83318/Basics_National_
Assessment_Protocol.pdf
A hierachical Approach
• Avoids wasteful use of resources.
• Starts simple and becomes increasingly
more complex and expensive.
• How far you go depends on agnet
performance, resources available and
level of proof required.
• Low agent populations implies no
significant impact on the target and no
significant non-target effects.
Step
1
For each project, agree desired outcomes and approach. Collect
baseline information. Release agents.
2
Always check if agents have established.
3
Yes, assess agent population or damage levels.
No establishment,
assessment ends
4
Agent population is high or damage is
significant. Assess impact on weed population.
Levels still low, keep a
watching brief, review
Impact on weed population is significant.
Examine indicator non-target species for
impacts. Develop an economic evaluation or
study ecosystem consequences.
No observable impact on
weed population
5
Hierachical Approach
To Conclude
• Assessment activities based on the above
protocol are getting underway in 2015.
• Detailed instructions and forms have been
prepared for the projects ready to begin
now: broom, Japanese honeysuckle
lantana , privet, tradescantia, and woolly
nightshade.
• Reporting