Review of the National Weed Risk Assessment System

The National Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) system, which was introduced by the Australian Government in 1997 following the Nairn Review, is a system for pre-screening material so that species with a low potential to become weeds can be imported while preventing the importation of species with a high potential to become weeds in Australian agricultural systems and/or the environment.

Following seven years experience with this system, the Primary Industries and Natural Resource Management Standing Committees agreed to a review of the system, following concerns raised by stakeholders regarding its practical operation.

The Review examines the current system, how it operates, and looks at some of the perceptions, issues and concerns that have been raised by stakeholders. These range from concern that our import restrictions are too lax, to a concern that the introduction of new plant species which could provide substantial benefit to both agriculture and the environment is being prevented.

The Review examines the three stages of the WRA process in turn, and makes a series of recommendations to improve each stage of the process.

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