Accord to protect New Zealand from harmful weeds

The fight to protect our environment from harmful weeds continues with the launch of the new National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA).

Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ), regional councils, the Department of Conservation and the Nursery and Garden Industry Association have worked together to agree a list of 114 pest plant species, which was launched by the Minister for Biosecurity, Jim Anderton, at Wellington's California Garden Centre on 19 October.

The Accord, which was first developed in 2001, identifies the most serious pest plants - weeds - that currently exist in New Zealand, and how industry and government agencies will work together to prevent their sale, propagation and distribution.

Plants removed from sale

It is designed to protect New Zealand's environment from weeds that can devastate our natural resources and threaten our economy. It helps reduce the impacts of these plants by ensuring that they are removed from both commercial sale and informal trade. This reduces the opportunities for them to spread.

The updated Accord list contains 51 new species, and all species in four genera. Fifteen species have been removed from the list, but this doesn't mean these plants are no longer classified as pest plants. Rather, most of these plants are absent from New Zealand, and they are managed through other mechanisms.

A significant step forward

BNZ Pest Management Group Manager, Andrew Harrison, says the revised Accord is a significant step forward in pest plant management. "It builds on substantial experience to date, and our improved scientific understanding of weed issues.

"It is a great example of how people can work together to protect the things that New Zealanders hold dear. The way that industry and government organisations have worked positively together to agree this revised Accord has been impressive, and it signals a strengthened effort to collectively tackle New Zealand's weed issues.”

Implementation arrangements for the NPPA have been improved, including introduction of national standards and training for compliance staff. The nursery and garden industry is also playing a more active role to assist compliance.

Over the next six months, regional council staff will be visiting garden centres and casual markets to inform them about the Accord, and ensure they phase out the sale of the plants on the list.

Following this, regional council staff will be inspecting nurseries to ensure compliance with the Accord, and may confiscate plants from outlets where necessary.

Back to Biosecurity Magazine - Issue 71

Page last updated: 30 April 2008