National Eradication Programs - Exotic Weeds
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, Fisheries and Forestry.
Weeds that are currently subject to national eradication programs in Australia are listed below.
Siam weed
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 Queensland's Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNR&M). Siam weed is a plant exotic to Australia and has the potential to impact on the environment and other plant primary industries. Further information about the weed is at the DNR&M webpage Siam Weed.
Branched broomrape
The National Branched Broomrape Eradication Program commenced in 2000 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. For further information about the weed and the eradication program, see:
Branched Broomrape Eradication Program
Factsheet - Weed eradication program: branched broomrape 
PDF [179kb]
Farmer Alert - Keep your markets safe: Watch out for broomrapes PDF [324kb]
Branched Broomrape - Identification: State prohibited weed
Four tropical weeds program
The National Four Tropical Weeds Eradication Program is a five year program that commenced in 2004 to eradicate 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 Queensland's Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNR&M). 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:
| Weed | Resource link |
|---|---|
| Koster’s curse (Clidemia hirta) | |
| Limnocharis (Limnocharis flava) | |
| Mikania vine (Mikania micrantha) | |
| Miconia (Miconia calvescens, M. racemosa, M. nervosa) |
Contact
For further information about national weed eradication programs in Australia, contact Paul Pheloung on telephone +61 2 6272 3137.
