LEGISLATION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES INTO AUSTRALIA AND NEW-ZEALAND

There are stringent requirements for the importation of all exotic org anisms into Australia and New Zealand but since both countries have al ready permitted the importation and release of some species of both He terorhabditis and Steinernema, the difficulties of the importation of entomopathogenic nematodes are reduced. In both countries, a series of authorities must be consulted before importation is permitted but onl y in New Zealand must entomopathogenic nematodes be registered before commercial trials and sales are allowed. Registration not only entails a thorough evaluation of the nematode species and its formulation for a wide range of possible harmful effects to humans, crops and the env ironment, but efficacy must be demonstrated for each species of nemato de in each type of formulation against each pest.