Federated Farmers Submission on Application APP202663 Release of the horsetail weevil Grypus equiseti as a biological control agent for the weed field horsetail Equisetum arvense
Field Horsetail is a serious agricultural and environmental weed pest that has spread throughout the Central North Island onto valuable pasture and arable farming land. Existing methods for controlling the weed pest field horsetail are ineffective, inadequate and now unable to stop the spread of the invasive weed. This is a particular problem given the spread of the weed is aggravated by adverse events. The June 2015 flooding that affected the Manuwatu, Rangitikei, Wanganui and Taranaki regions has been attributed to the further spread of the pest weed.
The introduction of a biological control for field horsetail is therefore a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way of controlling and restricting the spread of the weed pest. After consultation with our membership, Federated Farmers supports the application to introduce (Grypus equiseti) as a biological control agent for the weed field horsetail (Equisetum arvense).