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

DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE

THE WORKING FOR WATER PROGRAM

JH Venter

Department of Agriculture

South Africa


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 yearsLoss of Biodiversity: Up to a 1/4 of RSA’s plant species Loss of life, damage to land and property through high

intensity fires.


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


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.


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


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.


Mechanical and Chemical Control

Basal bark Hand pull Ring barking Frill Cut stump treatment Stem injection


Bio Control

Savings of 20-30% could be achieved if biocontrol methods are used for woody species.


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.


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.


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


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


Legislation

The Agricultural Pests ActThe Conservation of Agricultural Resources

ActNational Environment Management Act Environment Conservation Act Draft National Biological Diversity ActNational Water Act National Veld and Fire Act


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)


Official International trade

Controlled by the NPPO Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983) National and International regulations, standards and

agreements


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


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


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


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)


REGULATION 15 -CATEGORY 1

15A-Deals with combating Category 1 plantsDeclared weeds Importation and cultivation is prohibited


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


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


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


Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

National Environment Management Act Environment Conservation Act Draft National Biodiversity Act


Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

National Water Act National Veld and Fire Act


Implementation by Working for Water

Work flow for implementation WFW policy for clearing land WFW herbicide policy Standard implementation documents Annexure to implementation documents


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


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 agentsRelease agents in co-operation with researchersMonitor for establishment in co-operation with researchersProduce agent brochures


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


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


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


Research Unit of WfW

Bio control Social Development Hydrology Ecology Resource economics Research publications


Sustainable Development through WfW

Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Livelihoods Training

(Business management, chainsaw operation, etc) Maintaining and restoring ecosystem integrity Sustainable Consumption and Production


Seeking to create entrepreneurial support through secondary industry development

It offers opportunities for women, the youth and the disabled

Involves the community


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.


Special Thanks

Hélette Prinsloo (LUSMLUSM )Hildegard Klein (ARC PPRI Rietondale)Fiona Impson (ARC PPRI Stellenbosch)Simone Noemdoe (Working for Water)

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