We have completed a review of import conditions for apiaceous vegetable seeds for sowing.
Updates
Implementation pause
We are reviewing the biosecurity status of pests considered in the review of apiaceous vegetable seeds for sowing, including consideration of new scientific information and potential alternate entry pathways. This will ensure recommendations remain technically justified and will lead to effective and efficient management of biosecurity risk.
Until this review is completed, we will postpone implementation of the risk management measures recommended in the final report.
CandidatusLiberibacter solanacearum
On 1 December 2021, we removed specific measures for Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CaLso) from carrot, celery/celeriac, chervil, fennel, parsley, and parsnip seed for planting.
Significant new scientific research has become available since the release of the final report that demonstrates that seed transmission of CaLso does not occur in apiaceous species. Consequently, there is no technical justification to continue measures for CaLso on apiaceous seed for planting.
Measures will be retained for CaLso in tissue cultures of these 6 apiaceous species.
More information is available here.
Cercospora foeniculi
In the final report, the fungal pathogen Cercospora foeniculi was assessed as seedborne in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and a quarantine pest for Australia, and pest risk management measures were proposed to reduce its associated biosecurity risk to an acceptable level.
Cercospora foeniculi (as Fusoidiella anethi and its synonyms) is not now considered a quarantine pest for Australia. Pest risk management measures proposed in the final report will not be implemented; fennel seed will not require a fungicidal treatment or a PCR test for this pest.
More information is available in the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures notification issued by Australia on 1 October 2021.
When we do a risk analysis, we:
- review the science on pests and diseases of concern
- assess and analyse biosecurity risks
- develop risk management measures, if required
- consult the public on the draft report and then review comments
- publish the final report
- publish import conditions in our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
About the review
Australia imports large quantities of seeds annually and depends on these imports to produce a wide range of crops, including vegetable crops.
The distributions of seed-borne pathogens are expanding globally, and new risks frequently emerge. The vegetable seeds trade has become globalised and is evolving—seed lines are usually developed, commercially multiplied, and processed across several countries rather than at a single origin. Therefore, the risks of seeds’ exposure to new pathogens and the likelihood that these pathogens may enter Australia via imported seeds have increased.
The increased biosecurity risk associated with imported seed prompted us to review the import conditions for vegetable seeds for sowing.
We initiated a review of 4 vegetable seed import policies, which was funded under the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. The 4 vegetable families being reviewed are: Apiaceae (e.g. carrot, celery and parsley), Brassicaceae (e.g. broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower), Cucurbitaceae (e.g. cucumber, watermelon and zucchini) and Solanaceae (e.g. capsicum, eggplant and tomato).
The review of apiaceous vegetable seeds is the third of the 4 vegetable families to be finalised. The reviews of brassicaceous and cucurbitaceous vegetable seeds were finalised in September 2019 and June 2020, respectively.
Final report
Summary of the final report
Seeds of 6 apiaceous vegetable species were assessed in the final report as hosts of pathogens that are of biosecurity concern for Australia. A combination of pest risk management measures was recommended, including a test or a treatment for each identified pest:
- Option 1. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test—a measure that is potentially applicable to all 4 identified quarantine pests.
- Option 2. Broad spectrum fungicidal treatment—a measure that is applicable to Diaporthe angelicae.
- Option 3. Heat treatment—a measure that is applicable to CaLso.
Risk management measures
As outlined in the ‘updates’ box above, since the release of the final report the department has determined measures are no longer required for Cercospora foeniculi and CaLso on apiaceous seeds for planting.
Below is a summary of the updated risk management measures required:
| Host species (including its hybrids) | Pathogens associated with host species | Risk management measures | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1 (PCR test) | Option 2 (Fungicide treatment) |
||
| Daucus carota (carrot) | Diaporthe angelicae | * |
|
| Pastinaca sativa (parsnip) | Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV) | * |
|
| Petroselinum crispum (parsley) | Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV) | * |
|
* Not yet operationally available; tests will be phased in at a date to be advised.
Seeds of these 3 apiaceous vegetable species that are imported for sprouting or micro-greens production for human consumption are exempt from these additional measures if they are imported directly to a production facility operated under an Approved Arrangement. This is to mitigate risks presented by the diversion of seeds to other end-uses.
If the required treatment or testing is undertaken off-shore, phytosanitary certification is required with the additional declaration that the testing or treatment has been conducted in accordance with Australia’s requirements.
Seeds of other apiaceous vegetable species reviewed were not found to be hosts of quarantine pests for Australia and they will continue to be subject only to the department’s standard seeds for sowing import conditions.
Your feedback on the draft report
Appendix B of the final report provides a summary of key technical comments raised by stakeholders and how they were considered.
Appendix C of the final report provides details of how we considered the potential alternative management options.
Changes were made to the risk analysis following comments submitted by stakeholders and a review of scientific literature. Key changes are:
- Seven quarantine pests identified in the draft report as potentially requiring measures have been reassessed as not requiring measures because:
- three of the pests are no longer considered to be seed-borne in apiaceous hosts (Calophoma complanata, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. coriandrii and Ramularia foeniculi) as any evidence was found to be insufficient
- three of the pests are no longer considered to pose risks that exceed the appropriate level of protection (ALOP) for Australia (F. oxysporum f. sp. cumini, Passalora malkoffii and Phomopsis diachenii)
- one of the pests has been taxonomically reclassified (R. coriandri) and the new definition of this species indicates it is present in Australia and not under official control.
- Diaporthe angelicae is included as a newly recognised quarantine pest associated with this pathway.
Download final report
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, March 2021.
Final review of import conditions for apiaceous vegetable seeds for sowing (PDF 4.6 MB)
Final review of import conditions for apiaceous vegetable seeds for sowing (DOCX 1.6 MB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
Draft report
We released the draft report of the review of apiaceous vegetable seeds for sowing into Australia on 12 September 2017 for a 60 calendar day stakeholder consultation period, closing on 13 November 2017.
Trade
Apiaceous vegetable industry
Australian producers rely on the overseas supply of seeds for apiaceous vegetable production. In 2019-20, Australia’s production of main apiaceous vegetables (carrot, celery, coriander and parsley) was valued at more than $400 million.
The gross value of production figures for apiaceous vegetables for 2019-20 are:
- Carrot—$222 million
- Celery—$74.1 million
- Coriander—greater than $50 million
- Parsley—greater than $50 million.
The gross value of Australian horticultural agriculture was $15.1 billion in 2019-20.
The gross value of Australian horticultural exports was just over $2.7 billion in 2019-20.
Source: Horticulture Innovation Australia—Australia Horticulture Statistics Handbook (2019-20)
Next steps
We will implement the revised import conditions in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) in a phased approach. Stakeholders will be informed before changes to import conditions are made.
Keep informed
Register as a stakeholder
Subscribe to Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant to receive notices about plant biosecurity policies.
Contact us
For more information, email imports or phone 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1).