Apples from China IRA expert panel meeting 7, held on 22/24 March 2010
The members of the expert panel for the import risk analysis (IRA) for apples from China met by teleconference on 22/24 March 2010.
The meeting focussed on:
Review of the provisional final IRA report
The meeting discussed a draft of the provisional final IRA report. Biosecurity Australia informed the panel of minor changes or additions to the report since the review by the Eminent Scientist Group. The panel members sought clarification and provided their comments and suggestions for minor improvements.
The panel agreed that the provisional final IRA report was suitable to be released to stakeholders.
Next steps
The provisional final IRA report will be published for a 30-day appeals period. Any appeals on significant deviation from the IRA process that adversely affected the stakeholders’ interests will be considered by the independent Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel within 45 days.
Apples from China IRA expert panel meeting 6, held on 7 and 11 September 2009
The expert panel for the import risk analysis (IRA) for apples from China met by teleconference on 7 September 2009 with a follow up teleconference on 11 September 2009.
The meeting focussed on:
Review of draft IRA report (revised)
The meeting discussed the draft IRA report revised after consideration of stakeholders’ comments. The panel members provided their comments and their suggestions to improve the report. Biosecurity Australia also informed the panel of other minor changes or additions proposed for the report.
Discussion of the report of stakeholders’ comments and Biosecurity Australia’s responses
The panel discussed the report of stakeholders’ comments and Biosecurity Australia’s responses prepared for the independent Eminent Scientists Group (ESG) and indicated that the document had been well prepared and that the electronic version was very useful for quickly locating the comments and responses.
Next steps
The draft IRA report revised after consideration of stakeholders’ comments and the report of stakeholders’ comments and Biosecurity Australia’s responses will be provided to the ESG for a 60-day review period
Expert panel for the import risk analysis for apples from China
Apples from China IRA expert panel meeting 5, 30 July 2009
The expert panel for the import risk analysis (IRA) for apples from China met in Canberra on 30 July 2009.
The meeting focussed on:
Summary of changes and additions to the draft IRA report
The meeting discussed the proposed changes and additions to be incorporated into the revised draft IRA report as a consequence of the comments received from stakeholders on the draft and a verification visit to China in April 2009.
Discussion on stakeholders’ comments
Each section of the report was discussed. The panel members provided their opinions and suggestions regarding Biosecurity Australia’s consideration of stakeholders’ comments and any proposed changes and additions to pest categorisation, risk assessments or risk management.
Next steps
Biosecurity Australia will provide a copy of the final version of the revised draft IRA report and associated documents to the panel members for final discussion via teleconference. The panel members will be asked to indicate whether they consider the prepared report to be in a suitable state to be presented to the Eminent Scientists Group for their consideration.
The panel was advised of minor changes in the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2007 (update 2009) to include the newly formed Biosecurity Services Group as communicated to stakeholders in Biosecurity Australia Advice 2009/14 on 1 July 2009.
Expert panel for the import risk analysis for apples from China
Apples from China IRA expert panel meeting 4, 12 January 2009
The expert panel for the import risk analysis (IRA) for apples from China met via teleconference on 12 January 2009.
Biosecurity Australia and the expert panel discussed the final version of the draft IRA report to be issued in late January 2009 for stakeholder consultation.
The panel members stated that they had no major issues with the content of the draft report. Minor edits were suggested to ensure the clarity of the report.
The panel members confirmed that they had reviewed the report and considered it suitable for circulation to stakeholders as a draft for consultation.
Expert panel for the import risk analysis for apples from China
Apples from China IRA expert panel meeting 3, 11 December 2008
The expert panel for the import risk analysis (IRA) for apples from China met via teleconference on 11 December 2008.
The purpose of the meeting was to consult on finalising the draft IRA report, for stakeholder consultation in late January 2009.
The panel members stated that they had no major issues with the draft report in its current form, apart from some minor points which were discussed chapter by chapter. The comments mainly related to issues of clarity. The panel recommended a number of changes to the text.
Biosecurity Australia will provide the final version of the draft IRA report to the panel members in early January 2009. The panel members would then confirm that they had reviewed the report and considered it suitable for release to stakeholders as a draft report for consultation late January.
Expert panel for the import risk analysis for apples from China
Apples from China IRA expert panel meeting 2, 10–11 November 2008
The expert panel for the import risk analysis (IRA) for apples from China met in Canberra on 10–11 November 2008.
The meeting focussed on:
General comments on stakeholder submissions on the issues paper
The meeting discussed the key technical issues raised in submissions from stakeholders and reviewed a summary of responses. Comments have been considered and incorporated, where relevant, in the draft IRA report.
Changes suggested by the panel members on the draft IRA report in the previous meeting or subsequent communication were reviewed. The panel recommended a number of further changes to the report.
Scope
The meeting discussed the scope of the IRA for all commercial apple production areas in China in consideration of comments from stakeholders.
Method
The meeting noted comments on the Biosecurity Australia IRA method in general and community expectations. The panel was advised that the pest risk analysis method and process had been discussed by the states and territories through the Primary Industries Ministerial Council.
China’s commercial apple production practices
The meeting discussed China’s pest free status for fire blight and observations on production from Biosecurity Australia’s visit to Shaanxi, Shandong and Hebei provinces in September 2008. The panel was satisfied with the additional information provided in the draft IRA report on China’s commercial apple production practices.
Risk assessment and risk management
The panel acknowledged that the draft IRA report contained a considerable number of additional pests to those included in the preliminary list provided in the issues paper. Only a few of these pests had required risk assessments. The panel reviewed the amendments to the risk management section and the proposed area freedom and systems approaches to manage the risk of the arthropod and disease pests.
Biosecurity Australia will provide a copy of the draft IRA report to the panel members for review prior to its release.
Expert panel for the import risk analysis for apples from China
Apples from China IRA expert panel meeting 1, 19–20 August 2008
The expert panel for the import risk analysis (IRA) for apples from China met in Canberra on 19–20 August 2008.
The meeting focussed on:
Terms of reference
The terms of reference for the expert panel with respect to the China and US apple IRAs, were stated. These are to:
- assist Biosecurity Australia to examine and review scientific issues relevant to the IRA
- provide advice regarding the provisional conclusions in risk analysis documents being drafted
- provide guidance to Biosecurity Australia scientists in areas of particular scientific expertise.
Issues paper
There was discussion on issues that might be covered by submissions from stakeholders on the issues paper when the comment period ends on 5 September 2008. The panel will be provided with copies of the stakeholder comments, which are also put on the Biosecurity Australia website.
Method
The panel discussed the draft wording for the time period and volume of trade for consideration in the pest risk analysis.
China apple production
The meeting identified areas where more information on China’s standard commercial practices would be useful. The panel was advised that Biosecurity Australia officers would be travelling to apple production areas in China in September 2008 to review practices. The meeting discussed the status of Erwinia spp. in North Asia.
Risk assessments
The panel commented positively on the transparency of the pest categorisation.
The risk assessments for the arthropod pests and disease-causing pathogens were discussed and technical advice provided. The meeting discussed proposed risk management measures for the quarantine pests and their presentation in the draft IRA report.
Next meeting
It was proposed that the panel will meet again in Canberra to review the draft IRA report before release.
Expert panel for the import risk analysis for apples from China