Monday 7 December 2020
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders associated with importing Full Container Load (FCL) consignments of seeds, grains and dried plant products.
What has changed?
The department will be updating the list of countries that are regulated for khapra beetle. This list is referred to as the Khapra beetle target risk country list.
From 16 December 2020, the khapra beetle target risk country list will be updated to the following list of countries:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cyprus, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen.
Certification requirements
FCL consignments of seeds, grains and dried plant products imported from a:
- Khapra beetle target risk country must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with the following additional declaration: "The plant product(s) were inspected and found free from Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium)".
- Country not listed as a khapra beetle target risk country must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
Import Permits
As a result of the update to the khapra beetle target risk country list, some import permits will require amendment. The department will notify affected import permit holders by 10 December 2020 and will vary import permits by 24 December 2020.
In-transit arrangements
Applicable FCL consignments arriving in Australia without an acceptable phytosanitary declaration will be subject to an unpack (for inspection) at a Class 1.1 Approved Arrangement site.
Background
Khapra beetle (Trogderma granarium) is Australia’s number two National Priority Plant Pest and the number one plant priority pest for grains. It is not present in Australia, but it is a highly invasive pest that poses a major threat to Australia’s grains industry. It feeds directly on goods such as stored grain and dry food stuffs, which can result in significant damage. Infested goods may become contaminated with beetles and cast larval skins and hairs, which can be a health risk and are difficult to remove from grain storage structures and transport vessels.
Further information
For further information please contact Plant Import Operations Branch at imports@aff.gov.au (please mark the title of the email Plant T2 – Khapra).