Accordingly, the method is applicable to areas of low economic value, such as natural pastures. isadvantage is that the pathogens can attack the target weed wherever it is present, even in those areas where it might be considered a useful plant. Indeed, once released and stabilised, a control agent is no longer under human control. Careful consideration must therefore be given to possible conflicts of interest between the weed's harmful and useful characteristics before introducing an agent. For a long time, projects addressing biocontrol programmes were undertaken in a rather superficial way, with no thought to the scientific aspect of the problem