APPLICATION SUMMARY
Application code:
NOR06003
Application category:
Import for Release or Release from Containment any New
Organism by rapid assessment under the Hazardous
Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996
Taharoa C Block Incorporation
9/60 Tauranga Direct Road
RD 2
Rotorua
Peter Brown
Applicant:
Applicant contact:
Purpose:
Miscanthus x giganteus is a sterile perennial grass with
capacity for substantial biomass development that has high
energy potential. Intended for use as feedstock for liquid
biofuel production or direct co-firing in coal fired power
stations
Date application received:
18 May 2007
ERMA New Zealand contact:
Jayden Van Horik
Application Summary prepared by Taharoa C Block Incorporation
Taharoa seeks to import Miscanthus x giganteus, a relative of sugar cane and of similar
appearance. It is most commonly simply called Miscanthus or E-Grass and is sometimes
referred to as Elephant Grass although this is really the name given to other types of
Miscanthus. It is already being grown as a biofuel crop in a number of OECD countries and
in large quantities in the UK in particular. It is a completely sterile hybrid of Miscanthus
sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus. A number of species of Miscanthus are already
present in New Zealand including Miscanthus sinensis one of the parent species of this
hybrid. Unlike these species, Miscanthus x giganteus is incapable of producing seed. After
more than 20 years of field trials in Europe it has not spread beyond the site on which it was
planted. Once planted, it grows as a perennial for 20 or more years, being harvested each year
in late winter after it has dropped its leaves. It is a crop that is suitable for growing on low
fertility land, and requires low inputs of fertiliser, herbicide and pesticide. It therefore does
not need to compete with food crops for land. As a biofuel crop, it can be used for production
of ethanol, or as a partial replacement feedstock for coal fired power stations.
It absorbs CO2 as it grows and puts a proportion of this absorbed CO2 into soil carbon storage
through its leaf fall. When the canes are harvested for use as a biofuel, it releases less CO2
into the atmosphere than was absorbed by the whole plant while growing. At the same time,
when used to substitute for fossil fuels, it has further greenhouse gas benefits.
Miscanthus x giganteus therefore is very benign environmentally, has potential to be very
productive commercially and is very much in the long term best interests of New Zealand.
No other plant that Taharoa has investigated comes close to Miscanthus x giganteus in terms
of lack of actual or potential negative environmental impact, proven commercial track record
and suitability for use in New Zealand on marginal lands of suitable terrain.