Public consultation on this topic is now closed.
Lantana (Lantana camara) is a Weed of National Significance (WONS). It affects agriculture, livestock, plantation timber and orchards, and is difficult and costly to manage. It is also a major environmental weed.
We prepared a draft risk analysis report assessing the proposal to release the leaf rust pathogen Puccinia lantanae in Australia . The draft report proposes to permit the release of Puccinia lantanae for the biological control of lantana.
We released the draft report on 5 February for a 30-calendar day public consultation period.
Final report
You can read the final risk analysis report which we released on 22 April 2026.
We recommend that the release of the leaf rust pathogen Puccinia lantanae for the biological control of lantana (Lantana camara) should be permitted. This is subject to meeting the standard quarantine requirements for biological control agents.
We determined that the risk estimate for the leaf rust pathogen targeting plants other than lantana is negligible. This risk estimate achieves Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP). Details of the assessment that determined this risk estimate are contained in the final risk analysis report.