30 March 2010
Provisional final import risk analysis report for fresh apple fruit from the People’s Republic of China
This Biosecurity Australia Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Provisional final import risk analysis report for fresh apple fruit from the People’s Republic of China.
The provisional final import risk analysis (IRA) report recommends that the importation of fresh apple fruit to Australia from China be permitted subject to a range of quarantine conditions.
The recommended quarantine measures include area freedom and a systems approach to manage quarantine pests and diseases, supported by an operational system to maintain and verify the quarantine status of consignments.
This provisional final report takes into account submissions and comments by stakeholders on a draft report released in January 2009 and the review by the Eminent Scientists Group. The report is open for appeal to the independent Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel until 2 May 2010.
Biosecurity Australia Advice 2008/05 of 17 March 2008 announced the formal commencement of an expanded import risk analysis (IRA) under the regulated process to consider a proposal to import fresh apple fruit from the People’s Republic of China. Biosecurity Australia Advice 2009/29 of 4 December 2009 advised stakeholders that the Eminent Scientists Group (ESG) had concluded its review of the draft report revised after consideration of stakeholders’ comments. Comments from stakeholders on the draft IRA report issued on 21 January 2009 were taken into account in preparing the provisional final report.
The provisional final IRA report recommends that the importation of fresh apple fruit from all commercial production areas of China be permitted, subject to a range of quarantine conditions, including verification of pest status in the areas nominated by China for export to Australia.
The provisional final IRA report identifies 16 quarantine pests (11 arthropods and five diseases) that require quarantine measures to manage risks to a very low level in order to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP). The arthropods include: hawthorn spider mite; flat scarlet mite; Oriental fruit fly; Comstock’s mealybug; apple mealybug; summerfruit tortrix moth; peach fruit moth; codling moth; pyramid moth; Manchurian fruit moth; and white fruit moth. The diseases include: Japanese apple rust; marssonina blotch; apple brown rot; European canker and apple blotch.
Regional differences were identified for one pest, codling moth, which is a quarantine pest for Western Australia.
The provisional final IRA report recommends a combination of risk management measures and operational systems that will reduce the risk associated with the importation of apples from China into
Australia to achieve Australia’s ALOP, specifically:
- area freedom for Oriental fruit fly, codling moth, European canker and apple brown rot
- orchard control and surveillance, and fruit bagging for other pests
- pressurised air blasting and inspection for mealybugs and mites and remedial action if quarantine pests are detected
- a supporting operational system to maintain and verify the phytosanitary status of consignments. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) will verify that the recommended phytosanitary measures have occurred and an AQIS officer will be present under a pre-clearance arrangement to inspect and verify pest freedom prior to export.
The recommended quarantine measures outlined in the report take account of regional differences.
This IRA is being completed under the regulated process according to the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2007 (update 2009). The release of this provisional final IRA report marks the end of the regulated timeframe for the IRA. The report and information about the regulated IRA process are available from www.biosecurityaustralia.gov.au. Printed copies are available on request.
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 2 May 2010. The appeal period takes account of the public holidays that fall within the appeal timeframe. The appeal must outline a claim or claims based on the ground that 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 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 (by email or post) must be addressed to the Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel secretariat, as follows:
Secretariat
Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: IRAAP
Further details on the appeal process can be found in the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2007 (update 2009) and from the IRAAP secretariat.
Dr Colin J Grant
Chief Executive
Contact: Dr Vanessa Findlay
Tel: +61 2 6272 3933
Fax: +61 2 6271 6382