Biological control: managing risks or strangling progress?

Australia has been one of the top countries in the world in the biological control of weeds. Since the fi rst introduction in 1914, there have been many successful control programs and very few problems. Biological control is cost-effective and results in long-term sustainable control; however, the introduction of new living organisms into a country necessarily involves some risks. For this reason, there have always been strict controls on the process. Recent problems with unpredicted non-target effects, both in Australia and New Zealand, and in the Americas, have led to demands for further controls. In an increasingly litigious society, governments and bureaucracies are becoming increasingly risk-averse. Their response is to demand a no-risk situation where there is no exposure to possible liability. Legitimate biological control is increasingly strangled by new controls, while real environmental damage continues unchecked, and there is an increased risk of illegal and uncontrolled introductions. In this situation, we need rational decision-making and proper assessment of the risks involved without hysteria and media hype. Senior bureaucrats with the backing of politicians have the responsibility to make the diffi cult decisions: both groups need the moral courage to accept a degree of risk.