This Biosecurity Advice announces the formal commencement of a review of biosecurity import requirements to consider a proposal to import fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam into Australia.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) will prepare a draft report, which will be issued for stakeholder comment.
The commencement of this review is in response to a request for market access for fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam into Australia.
A preliminary pest categorisation for fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam has been undertaken and the potential quarantine pests of concern identified are the same as or similar to those for other fresh fruit from several tropical Asian countries, for which Australia already has established import conditions. Although fresh dragon fruit for human consumption has not been previously assessed, Australia already has established import conditions for seed (for sowing) and nursery stock of some varieties of dragon fruit. If new information about pests and diseases comes to light as the risk analysis progresses then this will be considered.
Given the similarity of pests of concern and that there are appropriate risk management measures for these pests, the department will undertake a review of biosecurity import requirements to consider a proposal to import fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam into Australia.
Further information on the review can be found in the Announcement Information Paper released with this advice notice and available at www.agriculture.gov.au.
The next step is to prepare a draft report to provide stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the review. The release of the draft report for comment is proposed for the third quarter of 2016.
Another Biosecurity Advice will be issued to invite comment once the draft report has been completed and placed on the department's website.
Following the consultation period, the department will consider all comments in preparing a final report.
Dr Marion Healy
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division
Contact:
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
Email:
Plant Biosecurity
Phone: +61 2 6272 5904