Final import risk analysis report for fresh decrowned pineapple fruit from Malaysia
Questions and Answers – 14 December 2012
Import risk analysis
Why was this import risk analysis undertaken?
Australia has responded to Malaysia’s market access request for fresh pineapple fruit, dating from 2004.
What is an import risk analysis and how does it work?
An import risk analysis (IRA) is a process that identifies and assesses risks posed by the pests and diseases relevant to an import proposal. The process is regulated by the Quarantine Regulations. If the risks posed by an import proposal exceed Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP), the IRA specifies what measures should be taken to reduce those risks to an acceptable level. The IRA process is described in the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2011, available on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website.
The IRA process involves issuing a draft IRA report for a 60-day stakeholder comment period, considering and incorporating the comments into a provisional final IRA report. The provisional IRA report is then published for a 30-day appeal period.
Appeals are considered by the Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel, which is independent of DAFF.
A final IRA report is published after a policy determination is made by the Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine.
What is a policy determination?
Australia’s Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine makes a policy determination on the basis of consideration of the final IRA report, the report from the Import Risk Analysis Panel and any other relevant information.
In doing so, the Director provides guidance to DAFF permit staff to take account of the measures set out in the final IRA report. It does not of itself permit the importation of a commodity.
What is the progress of the Malaysian decrowned pineapple IRA?
DAFF has completed an IRA on fresh decrowned pineapple fruit from Malaysia. The IRA covers the plant pest and disease risks associated with the proposed importation of fresh decrowned pineapple fruit from Malaysia and the management of those risks.
The IRA formally commenced on 9 June 2010 and followed the regulated approach, including stakeholder consultation.
The draft IRA report was released on 19 October 2011 for a 60-day stakeholder comment period. Two submissions were received and DAFF considered these comments in preparing the provisional final IRA report.
The provisional final IRA report was released on 7 June 2012 for a 30-day appeal period. One appeal was received and an Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel (the Panel) was formed to consider it. On 21 August 2012, the Panel reported that it had disallowed the claims of the appeal on the basis that there had not been significant deviation from the IRA process, or the claim was outside the grounds for appeal.
The final IRA report identifies four mealybugs as pests requiring quarantine measures. The recommended measures are a combination of risk management measures and operational systems that will reduce the risk associated with the importation of fresh decrowned pineapple fruit from Malaysia into Australia to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
The final IRA report recommends the importation of fresh decrowned pineapple fruit to Australia from Malaysia, subject to specific quarantine measures.
What quarantine pests and diseases have been identified in the IRA?
The final IRA report identifies four mealybug species of quarantine concern. They are: Dysmicoccus grassii (mealybug); Dysmicoccus neobrevipes (grey pineapple mealybug); Planococcus minor (Pacific mealybug); Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi (Jack Beardsley mealybug).
What quarantine measures have been recommended for fresh decrowned pineapple fruit from Malaysia?
This final IRA report recommends a combination of risk management measures and operational systems that will reduce the risk associated with the importation of fresh decrowned pineapple fruit from Malaysia into Australia to achieve Australia’s ALOP, specifically:
- pre-shipment or on-arrival methyl bromide fumigation or an alternative post harvest treatment approved by DAFF for mealybugs
- an operational system for the maintenance and verification of the phytosanitary status of pineapple fruit, including:
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- registration of export plantations
- registration of packing houses and auditing of procedures
- registration of fumigators/treatment facilities and auditing of procedures
- packaging and labelling requirements
- specific conditions for storage and transport
- pre-export phytosanitary inspection and certification by the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia
- on-arrival phytosanitary inspection, remedial action when required, and clearance by DAFF.
Will Australia be adequately protected from exotic pests?
A comprehensive scientific risk assessment of pests has been undertaken and, where appropriate, risk management options have been recommended. The assessment is based on the latest available scientific information and the measures recommended reflect Australia’s overall approach to managing quarantine risks.
Are there any regional differences for Australian states?
Regional differences have been identified for one quarantine pest requiring management measures. The Pacific mealybug has beenidentified as a quarantine pest for Western Australia.
The recommended quarantine measures take account of this regional difference.
Was the pathogen known to cause bacterial fruit collapse and heart rot in pineapples in Malaysia considered as part of this IRA?
The bacterial pathogen known to cause fruit collapse and heart rot in Malaysian pineapple production systems—Erwinia chrysanthemi (pineapple strain, Dickeya sp.) — was assessed as part of this IRA.
A comprehensive pest risk assessment was undertaken on pineapple fruit collapse and heart rot and the overall unrestricted risk was considered to be very low. This is below Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP) and therefore no specific measures are required for this pest. All stakeholder comments regarding pineapple fruit collapse and heart rot were carefully considered in the preparation of the final IRA report.
Does Australia allow any imports of fresh pineapple fruit now?
Yes. Since 2004, Australia has permitted the importation of decrowned fresh pineapple fruit from the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Solomon Islands, subject to a range of phytosanitary measures.
Between 1 January 2010 and 10 September 2012 Australia imported a total of 55 tonnes of fresh pineapples from the Philippines and Thailand. Imports from Thailand and the Philippines are subject to very similar conditions to those proposed for Malaysia.
Pineapple fruit rot and heart collapse occurs in the Philippines.
Does this give the go-ahead for the import of pineapples from Malaysia? What happens next?
There can be no import of pineapples from Malaysia until the Malaysian quarantine authorities develop an operational workplan that will detail how Malaysian producers will ensure Australia’s import conditions are met.
Only after the workplan has been prepared and agreed by Australia, including an audit of the Malaysian pineapple production system by DAFF, can an importer seek to obtain an import permit for pineapples from Malaysia.
Consultation
How does DAFF consult stakeholders?
The regulated import risk analysis process requires DAFF to consult with stakeholders at key stages of the process for specified periods. As well as informal consultation at the commencement of the IRA, this includes the public release for comments of a draft report, use of external experts and opportunity for appeal.
DAFF has consulted with domestic and international stakeholders throughout the IRA process.
Has industry been consulted in developing the Malaysian decrowned pineapple IRA?
Yes, both formally and informally.
Formally, the industry through Growcom, the pineapple industry representative body, provided submissions during the consultation period for the draft import risk analysis report.
Informally, DAFF held several face-to-face meetings with interested pineapple growers and representatives of Growcom.
The communication between industry and DAFF is ongoing.
Does Australia export fresh pineapple fruit?
Australia exports small quantities of pineapple to a limited number of countries, including Malaysia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Nauru, PNG, Timor Leste, New Caledonia, Soloman Islands, Singapore, Vietnam, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Russia.