18 May 2009
BIOSECURITY AUSTRALIA ADVICE 2009/11
This Biosecurity Australia Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Provisional final import risk analysis report for fresh greenhouse-grown capsicum (paprika) fruit from the Republic of Korea.
The recommended quarantine measures are pre-export inspection by Korean authorities and onarrival inspection by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. This will be supported by an operational system to maintain and verify the quarantine status of consignments.
The report takes account of submissions and comments by stakeholders on a draft report issued in 2008. The report is open for appeal to the independent Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel until 17 June 2009.
Biosecurity Australia Advice 2008/07 of 18 March 2008 announced the formal commencement of a standard, regulated import risk analysis (IRA) to consider a proposal to import fresh capsicum (paprika) fruit from the Republic of Korea. Comments from stakeholders on the Draft import risk analysis report for fresh capsicum (paprika) fruit from the Republic of Korea issued on 20 May 2008 were taken into account in preparing the provisional final report.
This provisional final report identifies three pests that require risk management measures to manage risks to a very low level in order to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection. The identified quarantine pests are intonsa flower thrips, western flower thrips and melon thrips.
The report recommends that the importation of fresh capsicum fruit into Australia from registered export greenhouses in the Republic of Korea be permitted, subject to specific quarantine conditions.
The recommended quarantine measures are pre-export phytosanitary inspection and certification by the National Plant Quarantine Service of the Republic of Korea and on-arrival inspection by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, and remedial action if any quarantine pests are detected. This will be supported by an operational system, e.g. registration of export greenhouses and packing houses, to maintain and verify the quarantine status of consignments.
The recommended quarantine measures outlined in the report take account of regional differences within Australia for western flower thrips and melon thrips.
The report and information about the regulated IRA process are available from www.biosecurityaustralia.gov.au. Printed copies are available, if required.
This IRA is being completed under the regulated process according to the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2007. Stakeholders may lodge an appeal in writing to the Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel – a body independent of Biosecurity Australia. The panel has advised that any appeals must be received by 17 June 2009. The appeal must outline a claim or claims based on the ground:
- there was a significant deviation from the regulated IRA process that adversely affected the interests of a stakeholder.
Each claim must be supported by a statement of reasons.
The panel has up to 45 days to consider any appeals and report its findings to Australia’s Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine and appellants. If there is no appeal, or once any appeals are resolved, the process is complete and policy recommendations will be submitted to the Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine for determination.
Written appeals, addressed to the Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel secretariat, must be received by 17 June 2009:
Secretariat
Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: IRAAP
Further detail on the appeals process can be found in the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2007.
[signed]
Dr Colin J Grant
Chief Executive