New Zealand EPA hearing on biocontrol agent

Date:05-29-2015

The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) plans to hold a public hearing on June 10th for an application to release the honeysuckle stem-boring beetle Oberea shirahatai, as part of a biological control programme against the weed Japanese honeysuckle.

The application has been submitted by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council on behalf of the National Biocontrol Collective, which represents 12 regional councils/unitary authorities and the Department of Conservation (DOC).

The applicant states Japanese honeysuckle is a weed of concern throughout New Zealand, particularly in the North Island. It is designated as an A-category invasive weed by DOC and is spreading rapidly into public conservation land.