Some of the exotic weeds that are detected in Australia have the potential to seriously impact at the national level on the country’s primary industries, trade, the economy and the environment. These weeds, if their total elimination from Australia is justified and feasible, are subject to national eradication programs.
National eradication programs for weeds in Australia are cooperative efforts between the Australian Government and the state and territory governments. The programs are nationally coordinated by the Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer. The state or territory government where the pest occurs is responsible for the management and operation of the program with technical assistance from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture.
Weeds that are currently subject to national eradication programs in Australia are listed below.
The National Siam Weed Eradication Program commenced in 1995 to eradicate Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) from Queensland. The nationally coordinated program is managed and operated by the Queensland Government. Siam weed is a plant exotic to Australia and has the potential to impact on the environment and other plant primary industries.
The National Branched Broomrape Eradication Program commenced in 2001 to eradicate branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) from South Australia. The nationally coordinated program is managed and operated by the Primary Industries and Resources South Australia. Branched broomrape is an exotic parasitic weed of a range of broadleaf crops, broadleaf weeds and native plants.
Communiqué: The Branched Broomrape National Management Group (NMG) met on 11 August 2011 and agreed that it was no longer technically feasible to eradicate the weed and that the eradication program be wound-up by the end of this financial year.
For further information about the weed and the eradication program, see:
Branched Broomrape — Transition to Management
Farmer Alert - Keep your markets safe: Watch out for broomrapes PDF [324 KB]
Four tropical weeds program
The National Four Tropical Weeds Eradication Program commenced in 2002 with the aim of eradicating the incursions of Koster’s curse, limnocharis, mikania vine and some miconia species in Queensland from Australia. The nationally coordinated program is managed and operated by the Queensland Government. The program involves extensive community engagement to identify infested areas, targeted weed surveys and weed control, and research components.
The only recorded infestations of these four weeds currently occurs in Far North Queensland. There is a potential risk of these weed species infesting tropical or sub-tropical areas of other states. The weed species also have the potential to damage native and agricultural lands in tropical and sub tropical areas of Queensland.
For further information about each of the four weeds, see: