1. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE THE WORKING FOR WATER PROGRAM JH Venter Department of Agriculture South Africa

2. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE AIS : The damage and threat 1 000 introduced plant species became naturalised, 200 are invasive use 3.3 billion cubic metres more water than indigenous vegetation waste 7% of our water resources Cost South Africa R600 million a year over 20 years Loss of Biodiversity: Up to a 1/4 of RSAs plant species Loss of life, damage to land and property through high intensity fires.

3. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE The Government of South Africa's Department of Water Affairs and Forestry created a conservation program called Working for Water in 1995

4. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE MISSION The Working for Water programme will control invading alien species, to optimise the potential use of natural resources, through a process of economic empowerment and transformation. In doing this the programme will leave a legacy of social equity and legislative, institutional and technical capacity.

5. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Objectives Enhance water security Improve ecological integrity Restore productive potential of the land Invest in marginal sectors to improve quality of life Develop economic benefits from wood land, water and trained people

6. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Integrated approach Various Departments Research and Academic Institutes Partners/sponsors in the Private Sector International partners Results: More than 40 000 jobs were provided. Projects in all the provinces. Clearing invading alien plants.

7. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Mechanical and Chemical Control Basal bark Hand pull Ring barking Frill Cut stump treatment Stem injection

8. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Bio Control Savings of 20-30% could be achieved if biocontrol methods are used for woody species.

9. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Is biological control safe? Is only released once it has been proved as sufficiently host-specific. Tested and approved biocontrol agents do not pose a threat to our own crops or indigenous vegetation, or to those of neighbouring countries. No cases of changing their host plant affinities.

10. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Track record Since 1913, 95 species of biocontrol agents have been introduced into SA to control 48 weed species. No unpredicted host switches have occurred yet.

11. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Is biocontrol effective? do not completely exterminate populations of their host plants small populations of biocontrol agents that persists will disperse onto re growth or newly- emerged seedlings of the weed sustainable control method

12. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Advantages of biocontrol environmentally friendly, self-perpetuating or self-sustaining cost-effective does not disturb the soil does not create large empty areas where other invaders could establish. allows natural vegetation of the area to recover gradually in the shelter of the dying weeds. all levels of biocontrol improve the chances for rehabilitation of the cleared area

13. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Legislation The Agricultural Pests Act The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act National Environment Management Act Environment Conservation Act Draft National Biological Diversity Act National Water Act National Veld and Fire Act

14. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983) The main purpose is to prevent the introduction of agricultural pests and organisms associated with agriculture. Control the importation of biocontrol agents The Directorates Plant Health (DPH) the NPPO, South African Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Services (SAAFQIS)

15. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Official International trade Controlled by the NPPO Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983) National and International regulations, standards and agreements

16. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Plant import Plants imported on permit system Declared weeds and invaders are prohibited Risk assessment show potential new weeds Weeds and potential weeds are regarded as pests as per IPPC definition

17. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Import of biological control agents Biocontrol imported per permit Background info is required Panel of experts review application, do risk assessment Approved organism imported Species specificity tests done Host specificity test plus other research

18. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Biocontrol import Application for release to NPPO NPPO review plus sent to panel of experts Release can continue and biocontrol agent are mass reared for implementation

19. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Act 43 of 1983, Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 was proclaimed to provide for control over the utilisation of the natural agricultural resources of the Republic in order to promote the conservation of the soil, the water sources and the vegetation and the combating of weeds and invader plants; and for matters connected therewith. In March 2001 regulation 15 and 16, dealing specifically with declared weeds and invader plants, were promulgated in the Government Gazette Number 22166, thus bringing the number of declared weeds and plants to a total of 198. CONSERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES ACT (CARA)

20. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE REGULATION 15 - CATEGORY 1 15A -Deals with combating Category 1 plants Declared weeds Importation and cultivation is prohibited

21. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE 15B - Deals with the combating of Category 2 plants. These plants have a commercial or utility value, and are only allowed to occur under certain conditions and with special permission. CATEGORY 2

22. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE 15C - Deals with the combating of Category 3 plants. These are plants with an ornamental value, and are allowed to be kept growing if under controlled circumstances and no more trading or propagating is allowed CATEGORY 3

23. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE 15D - Deals with the designation of biological control reserves for the breeding of biological control agents. 15E - The different methods for control are stated here. The need for follow-up actions is emphasised. Any action taken to control category 1, 2, and 3 plants shall be executed with caution and in a manner that will cause the least damage to the environment. CONTROL MEASURES

24. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism National Environment Management Act Environment Conservation Act Draft National Biodiversity Act

25. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Department of Water Affairs and Forestry National Water Act National Veld and Fire Act

26. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Implementation by Working for Water Work flow for implementation WFW policy for clearing land WFW herbicide policy Standard implementation documents Annexure to implementation documents

27. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE The Biological Control Implementation (BCI) programme in WfW : National BCI officer (Penny Gillespie) – PPRI, 1999 Six regional BCI officers – WfW –Ensure all available BC agents distributed throughout range –Facilitate incorporation of BC into WfW clearing programmes Initiation and structure

28. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Researchers: Brief BCI officers on biology of agent Supply them with starter culture Supply info and photos for agent brochure Involved with releases Detailed post-release monitoring Distribution of biocontrol agents BCI officers: Mass-rear agents Release agents in co-operation with researchers Monitor for establishment in co-operation with researchers Produce agent brochures

29. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE 1. Mass-rearing in regional BCI centres On potted plants in shade houses In insectaries on cut stems 2. Field collecting, once insects has established on biocontrol reserve sites 3. Insects laying their eggs on immature fruit or seeds of large woody trees cannot be mass- reared in lab – field-collected seasonally Sources of insects for redistribution

30. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Protection of released agents Legislation recognises biocontrol, protects effective BC sites Allows important BC agent nurseries to be registered as biocontrol reserves – protected from clearing Undertaking signed between land user and DoA

31. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Lessons learnt Importance of co-operation between researchers and BCI officers Selection criteria for regional BCI officers: skills in field & technical information transfer Value of large agent releases

32. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Research Unit of WfW Bio control Social Development Hydrology Ecology Resource economics Research publications

33. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Sustainable Development through WfW Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Livelihoods Training (Business management, chainsaw operation, etc) Maintaining and restoring ecosystem integrity Sustainable Consumption and Production

34. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Seeking to create entrepreneurial support through secondary industry development It offers opportunities for women, the youth and the disabled Involves the community

35. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE The 2000/2001 Year report 23 998 people employed in the programme. 54% of the workers are women. 26% of the workers are youth. 92% of the budget spent within the financial year. 70 660 hectares of invading alien plants cleared. 180 736 hectares of follow-up clearing undertaken. 20 wetlands undergoing rehabilitation work. 313 projects, across all nine provinces.

36. DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE Special Thanks LUSM Hélette Prinsloo (LUSM ) Hildegard Klein (ARC PPRI Rietondale) Fiona Impson (ARC PPRI Stellenbosch) Simone Noemdoe (Working for Water)