Prior to the introduction of any biocontrol agent, there is a need to undertake a risk analysis of the potential consequences. This application addresses the development of a systematic and quantitative risk assessment that will evaluate the ecological and social risks associated with the use of Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3, hereafter ‘the carp virus’) as a biocontrol agent for carp. There is a need for the risk assessment to adhere to global best-practice for ecological risk assessment, and to ensure that requirements under Australian legislation are satisfied. The risk analysis needs to be quantitative, as this allows the uncertainties to be better characterised, and the process to be more transparent and repeatable. A quantitative risk analysis framework will also allow more scenarios to be explored.
We have assembled a highly-skilled multidisciplinary team from within the CSIRO to undertake this work, covering off on the key components of ecological & epidemiological risk assessment and social science.
