17 October 2024
The draft report proposes that the importation of commercially produced melon fruit (except oriental melon and oriental pickling melon) to Australia from all commercial production areas of Japan can be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements.
The draft report is being issued for a public consultation period, closing on 16 December 2024.
We invite you to have your say on the draft report. We will consider all stakeholder comments received during the consultation period in preparing a final report.
We announced the commencement of this risk analysis on 30 August 2023, via Biosecurity Advice 2023-P07, advising it would be progressed as a review of biosecurity import requirements.
The draft report identifies 3 pests associated with fresh melons from Japan that require risk management measures to reduce the biosecurity risk to an acceptable level. These pests are:
- intonsa flower thrips (Frankliniella intonsa)
- western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
- melon thrips (Thrips palmi).
All 3 pests are quarantine pests, and were also identified as regulated articles as they are capable of harbouring and spreading orthotospoviruses that are quarantine pests for Australia.
Western flower thrips has been identified as a regional quarantine pest for the Northern Territory and melon thrips has been identified as a regional quarantine pest for South Australia and Western Australia. Whilst they have been recorded in some regions of Australia, interstate quarantine regulations are in place and enforced.
The identified pests are the same, or of the same pest groups, as those associated with other horticultural commodities that we have previously analysed.
The draft report proposes risk management measures, combined with an operational system, to ensure biosecurity standards are met.
The proposed risk management measures will reduce the risks posed by the 3 identified pests, to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia. The proposed risk management measure for thrips is pre-export visual inspection and, if found, remedial action.
The draft report and more information about the risk analysis process are available on our website.
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 Advice notices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy, including this risk analysis.
Peter Finnin
A/g First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
Telephone: 1800 900 090 (when prompted select option 1, then option 1)
Email: imports@aff.gov.au