Releasing a non-native biological control agent

In Wales and England, under Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to release or allow certain non-native animals to escape into the wild (this includes release into glasshouses and polytunnels).

An option exists under the same act to issue licences for the release of otherwise prohibited species as a derogation to this offence. This includes issuing licences for non-native biological control agents to control plant pests and weeds provided their release is assessed as not being a significant risk.

Natural Resources Wales' (NRW) species permitting team is responsible for duly making and issuing licences for biological control agents under certain circumstances following an assessment of the risk of releasing these biological control agents and the benefits their use will provide.

Types of biological control agents

There are Invertebrate biological control agents (IBCAs) and also Microbial biological control agents (MBCAs) which are collectively referred to as Biological Control Agents (BCA).

Species used as BCA are regulated differently:

Invertebrate biological control agents (IBCAs)

All non-native IBCAs are covered under the non-native biological control agent (NNBCA) regulatory system and their release is regulated by NRW in Wales.

Microbial biological control agents (MBCAs)

Non-native MBCAs are also covered under the NNBCA regulatory system if they are a plant health pest being held under quarantine conditions.

MBCAs which are not released as part of a formulated product are the primary responsibility of the NRW Species Permitting Team.

MBCAs released as part of a formulated product, are the primary responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive, NRW should still be informed in these cases.

BCA are divided up into two main types:

1. Classical BCA are defined as natural enemies that self-propagate and establish in the introduced environment to suppress pest populations. Classic biocontrol’s can survive, over winter and once released they would be difficult/impossible to control as they would be able to establish and spread.
2. Augmentative BCA, on the other hand, are not expected to establish and are defined as mass produced natural enemies that are periodically introduced into a specific environment to supress pest populations. These species are usually unable to establish due to constraints (for example: the climate of Wales would mean that they cannot over winter outside glasshouses or polytunnels).

When a licence is required

Biological control agents which are not ordinarily resident in the wild in the UK and not a regular visitor to the UK require a licence.

Licences are required for agents intended to control:

• Animal health pests
• Plant health pests
• Public health pests
• Invasive alien pests
• Weeds

Apply for a licence to release a non-native biological control agent in Wales

If you want to apply for a licence you will need to complete an application form to release BCA Wales. If you have applied for a licence in England and have been granted a licence please include details with your application.

What to include in your application

Information about what to include is contained in the form, examples include:

• Applicant and product information

• Background information on the BCA
  
  
• Identity
• Distribution
• Biology

• Voucher specimen/identity confirmation
  
  
• This should be deposited in a recognised reference collection or the identity of the agent should be confirmed to prove the identity of the BCA.

• Risk assessment for the BCA
  
  
• Establishment
• Host range
• Spread
• Direct/indirect impacts
• Potential benefits
• Uncertainty
• Conclusion of the risk assessment

• Post release monitoring and control measures

Review process

Once your application has been submitted, it will go through a review process. The NRW species permitting team will consult internal colleagues who provide expert advice in relation to the application. Sometimes we will consult other bodies (for example Defra). We will aim to process a licence within 40 working days of receipt of all the required information to assess your application.

Granting of licences

Once approved, the NRW species permitting team will issue the required licences for the release. Licences differ based on the type of biological control agent. In most cases, new licences will remain valid for two years but following renewal will remain valid for five years thereafter.

Types of licences issued by NRW in Wales

Releaser’s licence: this provides approval for the applicant to release the agent into Wales and gives the conditions for release, including the criteria for selecting release sites. This type of licence is only issued for classical BCAs.

Suppliers, Distributors and Growers licences are issued to the supplier who is responsible for distributing the licences to the appropriate parties. These licences are only issued for augmentative BCA.

Supplier's licence: this provides approval for the applicant to release the agent into Wales for research and development and to supply the agent for the purposes of controlling a pest(s). The licence also lists the conditions for release.

Distributor's licence: this provides approval for the distributor to supply the agent for the purposes of controlling a pest(s). The licence also gives the conditions for release.

Grower's licence: this provides approval for the end user to release the agent. The licence also gives the conditions for release.

Renewing an existing licence

Where a renewal of a previously issued licence is sought, you will need to complete an application form to release BCA.

For renewals it will be necessary to confirm:

1. nothing has changed in the application that alters the risk of the agent since the last licence was issued
2. if there are minor changes that alter the risk of the agent
3. if there are significant changes that alter the risk of the agent

If nothing has changed (a) or there have been minor changes (b) fill out the following sections of the application form and supply any supporting information with the application as necessary: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, Part E, Section 8, Section 10.

If there has been significant changes (c) that alter the risk of the agent then you would need to follow the process as if it was for a new application (that is, fill in the whole form but indicate it is a renewal application in section 2.1).

Reference specimens or ID confirmation will be required for all licence renewals.

Agents for which licences are not required in Wales:

Contact

If you wish to apply for a licence in Wales please contact us further advice or an application form: specieslicence@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

or telephone us on 0300 065 3000.

Return completed application forms by email or to:

Species Licensing
Natural Resources Wales
Maes y Ffynnon
Penrhosgarnedd
Bangor
LL57 2DW

If you wish to apply for a licence in England please email: non-nativebiocontrol.licensing@defra.gov.uk

If you wish to apply for a licence in Scotland please email: licensing@nature.scot

If you wish to apply for a licence in Northern Ireland please email: elmswildlife@daera-ni.gov.uk