8 July 2008
Issues paper for the import risk analysis for fresh apple fruit from the USA
This Biosecurity Australia Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Issues paper for the import risk analysis for fresh apple fruit from the United States of America.
The issues paper provides information relevant to the import request and the import risk analysis that has been announced by Biosecurity Australia. It also includes a list of pests that are considered to be associated with apple production in the USA.
Biosecurity Australia has formed an expert panel to assist in its consideration of the scientific issues associated with the import risk analysis.
This issues paper is being released for 60 days consultation. Comments and submissions are invited by 5 September 2008.
Biosecurity Australia Advice 2008/06, of 17 March 2008, announced the formal commencement of an expanded, regulated import risk analysis (IRA) to consider a proposal to import apples from the USA (Idaho, Oregon and Washington).
This Biosecurity Australia Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Issues paper for the import risk analysis for fresh apple fruit from the United States of America. Stakeholders are invited to provide comments and submissions on the issues paper by 5 September 2008.
Publication of an issues paper has been included as part of the consultation process in this expanded IRA.
The issues paper provides information relevant to the import request and the import risk analysis that has been announced by Biosecurity Australia. It also includes a list of pests that are considered to be associated with apple production in the USA and the status of fire blight in the USA is also considered.
An expert panel has been formed to assist Biosecurity Australia in its consideration of the scientific issues during the risk analysis. The expert panel will comprise:
- Professor David Guest
Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Sydney - Professor John Irwin
Molecular Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Queensland - Mr Barry Philp
Former Director, Horticulture Industry Development, Primary Industries and Resources South Australia.
The issues paper and information about the regulated IRA process are available from the Biosecurity Australia website. Printed copies are available, if required.
Comments on the issues paper should be submitted by 5 September 2008 to:
Plant Biosecurity
Biosecurity Australia
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: +61 2 6272 5094
Facsimile: +61 2 6272 3307
Email: Plant Biosecurity
Confidentiality
Stakeholders are advised that, subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988, all submissions received in response to Biosecurity Australia Advices will be publicly available and may be listed or referred to in any papers or reports prepared on the subject matter.The Commonwealth of Australia reserves the right to reveal the identity of a respondent unless a request for anonymity accompanies the submission. Where a request for anonymity does not accompany the submission the respondent will be taken to have consented to the disclosure of his or her identity for the purposes of Information Privacy Principle 11 of the Privacy Act 1988.
The contents of the submission will only be treated as confidential if they are marked ‘confidential’ and can be classified as such in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
John Cahill
Chief Executive