21 August 2018
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the final report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh dragon fruit from Indonesia.
The final report recommends that the importation of fresh dragon fruit to Australia from all commercial production areas of Indonesia be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements.
The final report takes into account comments received from stakeholders on the draft report released on 17 January 2018.The department announced the commencement of the risk analysis in December 2017 (via Biosecurity Advice 2017/28) and released the draft report for public consultation in January 2018 (via Biosecurity Advice 2018/01). Comments from stakeholders on the draft report were taken into consideration in preparing the final report.
The final report identifies seven quarantine pests associated with dragon fruit from Indonesia that require risk management measures. These pests are melon fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae), oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis), grey pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes), papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus), coffee mealybug (Planococcus lilacinus), Pacific mealybug (Planococcus minor) and Jack Beardsley mealybug (Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi).
The final report recommends a range of risk management measures, combined with operational systems, to reduce the risks posed by the seven quarantine pests to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia. These measures include:
- area freedom, irradiation (subject to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) approval) or vapour heat treatment for fruit flies
- consignment freedom for mealybugs verified by visual inspection and, if detected, remedial action.
This risk analysis is funded through the Australian Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper to strengthen biosecurity surveillance and analysis.
The final report and information about the risk analysis process are available from the department’s website. Printed copies of the report are available on request.
Dr Marion Healy
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division
T: 1800 900 090 (opt 1, opt 1)
Email:
Imports