Expanding the list of aquatic herbicides for use in australia - the conundrum of do we stop, welcome or remain neutral on its expansion?

Abstract

The nation’s capacity to effectively manage aquatic weeds is hindered by a lack of available tools, in particular registered herbicides. Herbicides are acknowledged as the primary control tool and a vital component of most integrated aquatic weed management strategies. In Australia, weed managers have been limited to the use of 17 registered or approved (under minor use permit) herbicides. Thirteen herbicides are available for aquatic areas, three for irrigation and drainage channels and one for estuaries and inlets. Many of these herbicides have been used since the 1950s. The advent of aquatic plant resistance to existing herbicides heightens the need for additional herbicides for aquatic weeds management.
This project engaged relevant experts from state and federal agencies involved in aquatic weed management, to identify suitable herbicides for use in aquatic systems and review data limiting herbicide approval in Australia. Twelve active ingredients were identified with new formulations and chemistry that pose reduced risk to aquatic organisms and potentially improve the control of many floating, submerged and semi-terrestrial aquatic weeds within Australia. In addition, use of an expanded range of herbicides could delay aquatic plants developing herbicide resistance, which is exacerbated when using only a few herbicides.