6 April 2021
Download
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
Biosecurity Advice 2021-P06 - Release of the draft report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh Persian lime fruit from Mexico PDF  |
2 | 205 KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, please visit web accessibility.
Online version
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Draft report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh Persian lime fruit from Mexico.
This draft report proposes that the importation of limes to Australia from all commercial production areas of Mexico be permitted, subject to them meeting a range of biosecurity requirements.
The draft report is being issued for a public consultation period, closing on 7 June 2021.
Stakeholders are invited to have their say on the draft report. The department will consider all stakeholder comments received during the consultation period in preparing a final report.
We announced the commencement of this risk analysis on 9 May 2018, via Biosecurity Advice 2018/09, advising it would be progressed as a review of biosecurity import requirements.
This draft report proposes that the importation of limes (Citrus latifolia) to Australia from all commercial production areas of Mexico be permitted, subject to them meeting a range of biosecurity requirements.
The draft report identified 4 pests that required further assessment to determine their level of biosecurity risk. These were:
- 2 quarantine pests:
- A fungus: citrus scab (Elsinoë fawcettii)
- A virus: Orchid fleck dichorhavirus-Citrus strain (OFV-citrus)
- 2 regulated articles (pests capable of harbouring and spreading viruses of biosecurity concern to Australia):
- citrus flat mite (Brevipalpus californicus)
- flat mite (Brevipalpus yothersi).
Pest risk assessments found that the unrestricted risk of these 4 pests achieved the appropriate level of protection (ALOP) for Australia when Mexico’s existing commercial production practices were considered. Therefore, no additional risk management measures are required.
A number of other potential pests of biosecurity concern were considered in the risk analysis. Mexico’s existing commercial production practices were found to reduce the risk posed by these pests such that they were not considered to have the potential to be on the fresh lime fruit pathway. Therefore, these pests were not assessed further.
The draft report proposes that the existing commercial production practices be made a mandatory measure to ensure pest risks associated with lime fruit from Mexico are managed to an acceptable level. The existing commercial practices to be made mandatory are:
- In-field pest management practices: monitoring for insects and mites using in-field surveillance and trapping, monitoring for pathogens, and when necessary, application of in-field controls.
- Packing house practices: application of washing, brushing, disinfection, waxing, grading/sorting and quality inspection.
The draft report proposes that these commercial production practices, combined with an operational system, will ensure the biosecurity standards are met.
The draft report and information about the risk analysis process are available on our website. Printed copies of the report are available on request.
We invite stakeholders interested in receiving information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses to subscribe via our online subscription service. By subscribing to Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant, you will receive Biosecurity Advices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy, including this risk analysis.
Dr Chris Parker
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division
Telephone: 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1)
Email: imports@aff.gov.au