Accessing biological control genetic resources: the United States perspective

Abstract

The USA has been actively involved in classical biological control projects against invasive insect pests and weeds since 1888. Classical (importation) biological control relies upon natural enemies associated through coevolution with their target species at their geographic origin to also provide long-term, self-sustaining management where the pest/weed has become invasive. Biological control agents are a form of genetic resources and fall under the purview of the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Nagoya Protocol (NP), which entered into force in 2014 to address equitable sharing of benefits arising from utilization of genetic resources. Safe and effective classical biological control agents have historically been shared among countries experiencing problems with invasive species. However, a feature of the Nagoya Protocol is that countries are expected to develop processes governing access to their genetic resources to ensure that the benefits are shared equitably—a concept referred to as “access and benefit sharing” (ABS). Although the USA is not party to the CBD nor the NP, US biological control programs are affected by these international agreements. Surveying, collecting, exporting and importing of natural enemies may be covered by new ABS regulatory processes. Challenges of ABS have arisen as various countries enact new regulations (or not) governing access to genetic resources, and the processes for gaining access and sharing the benefits from these resources have become increasingly complex. In the absence of an overarching national US policy, individual government agencies and institutions follow their own internal procedures. Biological control practitioners in the USA have been encouraged in recent years to observe best practices developed by the biological community for insect and weed biological control.

The magnitude of legal wildlife trade and implications for species survival

“…For example, the importation of millions of mites for biocontrol increases the chance that individuals of these species escape con nement and establish non-native populations in the US 44,45 . At present, there is relatively little concern given to the potential risk of imported biocontrol agents, and more attention is likely needed 46,47,48 . However, the risk of invasive species introduction certainly extends beyond invertebrates, with the widespread invasion of pythons (originally imported for pets) across south Florida as a clear example of how wildlife trade can directly cause ecosystem disruption and wildlife declines within importing countries 49 .…”