Media Statements - Lantana among top 20 weeds banned in WA

28/10/05

Agriculture Minister Kim Chance today announced lantana would be banned from sale in Western Australia from Monday, as part of the State Government’s commitment to protecting the natural environment.

Mr Chance said lantana camara was among 20 weeds of national significance that will no longer be traded in WA.

It follows a ban on importing the declared weeds from other States that came into effect on August 10.

Lantana camara is a shrub that usually has yellow, orange or pink flowers, or combinations of these.

It smothers native plants and can be toxic to native plants and livestock.

Athel pine and some forms of willow, but not including the most common weeping willow or pussy willows, are also on the new banned list.

The ban does not include lantana montevidensis, a smaller, less aggressive plant with purple or white flowers.

“People who already have the plants in their gardens or on their properties will not be affected, but no further trade or movement will be allowed from nurseries, garden centres or other outlets such as markets after October 31,” the Minister said.

“This action brings WA into line with the rest of the country and is protecting the State’s unique environment.”

Mr Chance said support from environmental organisations, weed control groups and parts of the nursery industry far outweighed some opposition to the listing.

“While many gardeners could see the listed species as harmless plants, the reality is that when Australia’s worst weeds were ranked according to their impact on agriculture, the environment and the economy all of these were in the top 20,” he said.

“Stopping the trade of weeds of national significance is in line with the objectives of the State Weed Plan, developed with input from the nursery and garden industry.”

WA Weeds Committee chair Judy Fisher said the organisation endorsed the State Government's declaration of the weeds of national significance, including lantana, and saw it as a positive step forward in reducing the impacts of weed species on the economy and biodiversity of WA.

"The WA Weeds Committee is committed to co-ordinating and integrating the awareness and actions of government, community and industry in better weed management for WA,” Mrs Fisher said.

Mr Chance said the new trading regulations had been phased in over the past few months to allow nurseries to sell existing stocks of lantana and minimise the impact on the industry.

He emphasised that people with listed weeds already in their gardens would not be required to take any action.

At the WA State Weed Committee’s Weed Forum on Tuesday, Mr Chance will urge all landowners, including State and local authorities, to think WA first when it comes to landscaping, revegetation and gardening projects.

He will reinforce the message that by planting WA species instead of foreign or interstate alternatives people can play their part in the fight against a weed problem that costs Australia $4billion per year.

The Weed forum, which will be held at Bold Park, will feature speakers including National Weeds facilitator John Thorp and South African expert Guy Preston, who spends some of his time dealing with WA plants which cause weed problems in his country.

More information about Weeds of National Significance is available at:
http://www.weeds.org.au

The State Weed Plan for WA can be found at:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au.

Minister's office - 9213 6700