Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine) - Biosecurity New Zealand

still infected with the fungus, and form an established population of the mycorrhizal fungus
once the plant is grown in the New Zealand environment. There is also a high likelihood
that, given sufficient time, the contaminating fungus will spread throughout New Zealand
wherever herbs, trees and/or shrubs are growing. There is a low likelihood that resulting
from the spread of these mycorrhizal fungi the unwanted consequences to the environment
will be low to moderate and to the economy will be moderate. As a result the risk estimate
for mycorrhizal fungi associated with Wollemia nobilis whole plants imported from Australia
is non-negligible.
The likelihood that mycorrhizal fungi would be associated with Wollemia nobilis root-less
cuttings or plants in vitro is considered negligible, and as such on these pathways the
mycorrhizal fungi are not considered a hazard.
10.2.9 Assessment of Uncertainty
The subject of this assessment is a group of fungi that could potentially have a very wide
variety of biological and epidemiological characteristics. To accommodate as far as possible
these significant uncertainties the assessment has been undertaken at a relatively generic
level, focusing on general attributes of the representative fungal species included in the
assessment.
To ensure that the risk management measures resulting from this assessment remain
appropriate to the risk posed by the pathway, organism associations recorded with the
commodity in the place of origin and during import into New Zealand or other countries
should be monitored. Research should also be undertaken to determine whether the
invasiveness of mycorrhizal fungi is resulting or would result in significant unwanted
consequences to the New Zealand environment or economy
10.3 Risk Management
10.3.1 Risk Evaluation
While the risk estimate for mycorrhizal fungi associated with Wollemia nobilis whole plants
imported from Australia is non-negligible, phytosanitary measures are not considered
necessary for the following reasons:
o The likelihood of any minor but wide-ranging potential impacts is considered low;
o The overall level of risk will be further reduced by phytosanitary measures being
targeted at other types or organisms;
o There is no effective and justifiable measures available to manage the risk adequately
(see the following paragraphs).
The risk estimate for mycorrhizal fungi associated with Wollemia nobilis root-less cuttings
and plants in vitro imported from Australia is negligible and as such no phytosanitary
measures will be required.
While no actions are recommended for mycorrhizal fungi associated with imported Wollemia
nobilis whole plants, this applies to unintentional organism associations only. Any importer
that intends to deliberately or knowingly import into New Zealand Wollemia nobilis whole
Import Risk Analysis: Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine) Araucariaceae Nursery Stock from Australia 14 March 2008 Page 99 of 193