British weevil application welcomed

The beetle will act as a biological control against the invasive field horsetail weed, which affects pastoral production.

Field horsetail is now widespread in parts of the North Island, the upper South Island and on the West Coast. The British weevil has the ability to reduce the plant, control its spread and, importantly, would not pose a threat to any other plants.

"Federated Farmers is supportive of any efforts to introduce a proven biological control for a significant pest problem. We now await a final decision from the Environmental Protection Authority and hope their assessment paves the way for a green light," says Federated Farmers pest management spokesperson Chris Allen.

"This weevil gives us a chance to control a highly annoying pest. It will reduce farmers' reliance on chemical weed treatments and help improve the productivity of their pastures."

If approved by the Environment Protection Authority, the introduction of the British weevil will follow the successful use of a parasitoid wasp to control the clover root weevil, which a decade ago posed a significant threat to New Zealand's agricultural sector.

"Clover pasture is the basis of our pastoral farming system, so bringing that pest under control was – and remains – critically important. With the British weevil we now have a chance to achieve the same with the field horsetail weed," says Allen.