The Department of the Environment, Heritage and the Arts states: "Weed invasions change the natural diversity and balance of ecological communities. These changes threaten the survival of many plants and animals as the weeds compete with native plants for space, nutrients and sunlight" and  that "weeds can contribute to soil disturbance, loss of native plant cover, and changed burning patterns".

Fair Water Use also notes that the register of Weeds of National Significance, a publication of the Australian Weeds Committee,  and a Federal Government initiative, lists twelve specific noxious impacts that weeds may have on Australia.

Whereas the infamous blackberry is responsible for seven of the listed impacts, cotton and rice (which do not appear on the register) are a cause of at least nine. All plants on the register are scheduled for eradication under the National Weeds Strategy.

Fair Water Use has contacted the Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett MP, recommending that, in view of the threats posed by cotton and rice, they be added to the register forthwith. 

FWUA supporters are encouraged to do likewise via: http://www.alp.org.au/people/email/garrett_peter.php