The Council of Australasian Weed Societies (CAWS) is an independent body that can express national and regional views on all issues relating to weeds and their management. The Council is composed of delegates from Australian State Societies and the Plant Protection Society of New Zealand that have weed management as their major focus.
The Council promotes weed management, and its practitioners, through education, awards, travel grants and publications.
CAWS is an Associate Member of the International Weed Science Society and is affiliated with the European Weed Research Society and the Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society.
The Council of Australasian Weed Societies (CAWS) was known as the Council of Australian Weed Societies (CAWS) before the Plant Protection Society of New Zealand became a Council member. Prior to that it was known as the Council of Australian Weed Science Societies (CAWSS) until 2003 when the Council dropped Science from its name to assist in recognising the diversity of personnel involved in weed management.