A life sentence or parole conditional release approval of biological control agents

Abstract

Changes made in 2003 to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 introduced a new approval type called conditional release Previously the only option was for full release approval under which the organism was no longer subject to HSNO Act regulation Applicants seeking approval for conditional release of a biological control agent have expressed concern that a resulting approval may have onerous and costly controls required for risk mitigation In 2005 Microctonus aethiopoides a biological control agent of Sitona lepidus (clover root weevil) became the first organism to be granted a conditional release approval This paper discusses the controls on that approval and other possible options for controls that could be considered in the future