7 January 2019
Who does this notice affect?
Industry stakeholders including importers, approved arrangements, freight forwarders and brokers that deal with imported cut flowers and foliage.
What has changed?
Over the Australia day long weekend and for weekends in the lead up to Valentine’s Day, consignments of fresh cut flowers and foliage found to be infested with live insect pests can have the option to be directed for onshore fumigation and release prior to pest identification by an entomologist. This arrangement is applicable on the following days only:
- 26th January 2019 – 28th January 2019
- 2nd February 2019 – 3rd February 2019
- 9th February 2019 – 10th February 2019.
This arrangement includes consignments inspected on Friday afternoon where samples cannot be identified before close of business (i.e. samples delivered to the laboratory after 3:30 pm).
Exclusions
The following consignments of fresh cut flowers and foliage are excluded from the above arrangements, and must not be directed for fumigation prior to identification by and entomologist:
- Any consignment with snails or slugs
- Any consignment with fly pupae and/or larvae associated with leaves with leaf mining symptoms.
Further information
Enquiries regarding the Clearance of Fresh Cut Flowers and Foliage consignments on the upcoming public holidays can be directed by email to Plant Import Operations. Please include “Clearance of Fresh Cut Flowers and Foliage consignments on public holidays” in the subject line or call on 1800 900 090.