19 March 2008
BIOSECURITY AUSTRALIA ADVICE 2008/09 COMMENCEMENT OF AN IMPORT RISK ANALYSIS FOR MANGO FRUIT FROM INDIA
This Biosecurity Australia Advice announces the formal commencement of an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) under the regulated IRA process to consider a proposal to import mango fruit from India.
This analysis will be undertaken as a standard IRA, requiring completion within 24 months from announcement.
The transition of this risk analysis into the new regulated IRA process recognises the work already completed under the previous process, including pest categorisation, the draft pest risk assessments and proposed mitigation measures. A draft report was also issued for comment by interested stakeholders on 2 July 2004.
In view of the work already undertaken, Biosecurity Australia is presently completing a provisional final IRA report and expects to release this by 30 June 2008. This report will take account of submissions and comments by stakeholders and will be open to appeal.
Biosecurity Australia Policy Memorandum 2007/20 of 12 September 2007 advised stakeholders that changes to the import risk analysis (IRA) process had been implemented on 5 September 2007 when regulations made under the Quarantine Act 1908 formally took effect. That advice also notified the transitional arrangements for Biosecurity Australia’s import work program, including a number of risk analyses that had been commenced under the previous arrangements and were to transition to the new regulated IRA process.
The IRA on mango fruit from India had previously been announced as a review of existing policy. Stakeholders were informed of this in Biosecurity Australia Policy Memorandum 2003/27 of 12 September 2003. A draft policy document was issued on 2 July 2004 for stakeholder comment. This policy review will now be completed under the new regulated IRA process as a standard IRA. Although the regulations allow a timeframe of 24 months to complete a standard IRA, in view of the significant body of work outlined that has already been completed under the previous process, the estimated timeframe for completion of this IRA is expected to be less than 24 months from this announcement.
In announcing this IRA, Biosecurity Australia has considered advice from the Import Market Access Advisory Group, which was established as part of the improved IRA arrangements to advise Biosecurity Australia on priorities for import proposals.
The regulations require the Chief Executive of Biosecurity Australia to formally announce the commencement of IRAs to be undertaken under the regulated process. This announcement triggers the start of the regulated timeframe for an IRA. Further information on the new regulated IRA process can be found on Biosecurity Australia’s website.
John Cahill
Chief Executive
Contact: Louise van Meurs
Telephone: 02 6272 4042
Facsimile: 02 6272 3307
Email: Plant Biosecurity
The Government recently announced a comprehensive review of Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity arrangements. The review is expected to report by 31 July 2008. It is possible that recommendations for further improvements to Australia’s IRA process will flow from the review. Any need for further changes will be considered, in consultation with stakeholders, once the outcomes of the review are known. In the meantime, Biosecurity Australia will continue with its work program.