18 July 2013
A non-regulated analysis of existing policy
Why has this analysis of existing import conditions for fresh table grapes for human consumption from California into Western Australia been conducted?
The United States requested an extension of market access for Californian table grapes into Western Australia in 2005.
The 2002 policy determination for table grapes from California stated that a joint risk assessment by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) would be conducted to consider the risks potentially associated with the import of Californian table grapes into Western Australia.
What new quarantine pests have been identified?
The harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) has been identified as a pest of quarantine concern for all of Australia.
All pests and pathogens that require biosecurity measures in the current Californian table grape import policy have been included in the policy for Western Australia.
What biosecurity measures have been put in place for fresh table grapes from California into Western Australia?
The report supports applying all biosecurity measures currently applied to imports of Californian table grapes to the rest of Australia to consignments bound for Western Australia. The current import conditions for the rest of Australia include a combination of quarantine measures and operational systems that reduce the risk associated with the importation of fresh table grapes from California to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP), specifically:
- fumigation treatment with sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) for the management of grapevine phylloxera as well as spiders
- fumigation treatment with SO2/CO2 directly followed by cold disinfestation treatment for the management of spotted wing drosophila
- visual inspection and remedial action, if there is a detection, for the management of grape erineum mite, harlequin ladybird, hornbeam spider mite, williamette mite, pacific mite, consperse stink bug, glassy-winged sharpshooter, vine mealybug, grape mealybug, navel orangeworm, orange tortrix, grape leaffolder, salt marsh moth, western grapevine skeletoniser, omnivorous leafroller, bean thrips, grape thrips, western flower thrips, Frankliniella minuta and Californian citrus thrips (Remedial action for detections on arrival in Australia may include treatment, re-export or destruction of the consignment.)
- area freedom or non-host status for grape curculio, grape looper, grape root worm, grape berry moth, McDaniel spider mite, avocado thrips, European grapevine moth, black rot, angular leaf spot, a rust (Physopella ampelopsidis), angular leaf scorch and Mediterranean fruit fly
- inspection by USDA–APHIS and DAFF as well as verification of treatments and certification of phytosanitary status.
Does the report identify Phomopsis viticola and grapevine fanleaf virus as pathogens of potential quarantine concern for Western Australia?
DAFF conducted a pest risk assessment and estimated the unrestricted risks associated with Phomopsis viticola and grapevine fanleaf virus to be ‘negligible’ and ‘very low’, respectively. These risk ratings achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP) and no specific biosecurity measures are required.
Does the report consider the risk of grapevine red blotch associated virus for WA?
Yes. Grapevine red blotch associated virus (GRBaV) has recently been confirmed in North America and stakeholders have raised their concerns about its possible association with imported table grape bunches. The final report includes additional information on this virus at Appendix D and DAFF continues to monitor the status of this virus in the US. This virus is associated with planting material and DAFF has put in place measures to manage this virus on the nursery stock pathway.
Does this give the go-ahead for the importation of fresh table grapes from California into WA?
Yes. All imports must be in accordance with the measures outlined in the final report that include fumigation treatment with SO2/CO2, directly followed by cold disinfestation treatment and visual inspection.
What are the next steps?
The same biosecurity measures currently applied to Californian fresh table grapes to all other states and territories will be applied to imports to Western Australia.
Import permits can now be issued and trade can commence. However, the decision about whether trade actually occurs will be a commercial one.
Does Australia allow any imports of fresh table grapes from California now?
Yes. Fresh table grapes have been imported from California to the other Australian states and territories since 2002. It has been demonstrated over those 10 years that the import conditions are effective in managing the biosecurity risks.
Have table grapes previously been imported into WA from California?
No. Fresh table grapes for human consumption have not previously been permitted entry from California into Western Australia.
Why is the risk assessment being done as a non-regulated analysis instead of an import risk analysis under the regulated process?
Fresh table grapes from California have been imported into all other Australian states and territories since 2002. As there is existing import policy for table grapes from California, it has been determined that the US market access request for table grapes from California into Western Australia should be conducted as a non-regulated analysis of existing policy. Although issues specific to Western Australia are considered, the importation of fresh table grapes from California into Western Australia does not pose significantly different biosecurity risks, or require significantly different management measures, than those that apply to Californian table grapes imported into the rest of Australia.
What information was assessed in the non-regulated analysis?
The analysis considered pests and pathogens of concern to Western Australia and took into account risk assessments and reviews completed since January 2000 for Californian table grapes into all other Australian states and territories. The analysis also took into account recent literature and data from the quarantine inspections of Californian table grapes since imports first occurred.
What work has been conducted by DAFF as part of this review process?
DAFF has conducted an assessment of the pests and pathogens associated with the importation of table grapes from California into Western Australia. The Department also considered existing quarantine conditions for the importation of table grapes from California into the other Australian states and territories.
These investigations have assisted with the assessment of the risks posed with the import of table grapes from California into Western Australia and with the development of appropriate biosecurity measures.
Have stakeholders been consulted during the review process?
DAFF consults with domestic and international stakeholders during the non-regulated analysis process.
DAFF consulted the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) prior to commencement and during the drafting of the non-regulated analysis. DAFF provided a draft pest categorisation table and pest risk assessments to DAFWA in 2012 for advance consideration and identification of regional pests. The comments provided during that consultation process have been addressed in the final report.
DAFF received a total of thirteen (13) public submissions on the draft report. After the submissions were received, DAFF met with representatives from Table Grapes Western Australia (TGWA) to discuss their submission. TGWA is concerned about Phomopsis viticola and grapevine red blotch associated virus. As a result of the meeting, DAFF provided TGWA additional information on grapevine red blotch associated virus and US and Australian climate information relevant to the risks associated with Phomopsis viticola. This information has been included in the final report.
DAFF gave careful consideration to all submissions, including additional information provided by TGWA, in finalising the report.
Does imported food need to comply with Australia’s food standards?
Imported food for human consumption must satisfy Australia’s food standards. Australian law requires that all food, including imported food, meets the standards set out in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is responsible for developing and maintaining the Code.