Plant Labelling Guidelines - download a copy here

Weeds

Weeds are literally a growing problem in Australia and a problem area which is being targeted by the Nursery & Garden Industry NSW & ACT.  The Association is being proactive in the prevention of the spread of those plants which might have a negative social, economic or environmental impact and all members of the industry should keep updated on which plants are now considered weeds.

It is very difficult to make an exact list of plants that retailers and wholesalers should be concerned about.  It is recommended that members should stop growing and selling the plants on the following lists:

• Declared noxious weeds list - these are weeds declared by the NSW government as illegal for sale.  The Department of Primary Industries list of NSW weeds can be viewed by clicking here.

• Weeds of National Significance (WONS) - these are considered the 20 worst environmental weeds in Australia.  Some of these plants are declared illegal for sale already but all should be removed from sale.  Please note that not all of them are relevant to NSW or ACT.  The WONS list can be found on the Weeds Australia website.

IMPORTANT NEWS ON GAURA lindheimerii cultivars!!

 Amendment No19 to the Noxious Weeds Act on 1^st March condemned Gaura lindheimeri, Gaura parviflora and Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ as weeds and banned them from sale.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has agreed to advise NGINA in writing of plants nominated for classification as noxious. NGINA asked that evidence be provided of where such nominated plant/s were actively modifying the ecosystem/habit and that the nomination be substantiated by a weed risk assessment test.  It has also been agreed that the department would be responsible for advising non members of NGINA including the hardware chains, with public notices placed prominently in more general publications.

At a meeting with NSW DPI we were advised that research had proved Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ to be in fact Pennisetum advena ‘Rubrum’ and would therefore be lifted from the banned classification.  We were also advised that if industry could provide breeding information and research to prove the PBR’d varieties of Gaura lindheimeri were not ‘weedy’ or largely infertile, the department would consider raising the ban.

On 7th August, NGINA Chief Executive Officer, Mike Skegg, received notification that the NWAC committee has recommended to the Minister an extension of the permit to grow and sell Gaura  to 1^st July 2007 to enable the completion of trials and research to prove the innocence of Gaura. 

On 31st October 2007 NGINA was advised by DPI that approval has been given to the extension of any permits in place on 30th June 2007 until 31st January 2008 for the prupose of the sale of Gaura.  The Minister also agreed to commence public consultation on the proposed exemption of specific named varieties of Gaura from Control Class 5.