19 March 2008
BIOSECURITY AUSTRALIA ADVICE 2008/08 COMMENCEMENT OF AN IMPORT RISK ANALYSIS FOR UNSHU MANDARIN FRUIT FROM JAPAN
This Biosecurity Australia Advice announces the formal commencement of an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) under the regulated IRA process to consider a proposal to import fresh unshu mandarin fruit from Japan.
This analysis will be undertaken as a standard IRA, requiring completion within 24 months from announcement.
The transition of this risk analysis into the new regulated IRA process recognises the work already completed under the previous process. Substantial work has already been undertaken to progress this IRA. Biosecurity Australia is presently completing a draft IRA report, which is expected to be issued to stakeholders by 30 July 2008 for comment.
Biosecurity Australia Policy Memorandum 2007/20 of 12 September 2007 advised stakeholders that changes to the import risk analysis (IRA) process had been implemented on 5 September 2007 when regulations made under the Quarantine Act 1908 formally took effect. That advice also notified the transitional arrangements for Biosecurity Australia’s import work program, including a number of risk analyses that commenced under the previous arrangements and were to transition to the new regulated IRA process.
Stakeholders were advised in Biosecurity Policy Memorandum 2002/03 of 29 January 2002 that an IRA for unshu mandarin fruit from Japan was being commenced. Since then, substantial work has been undertaken to progress this analysis. Biosecurity Australia now expects to be in a position to release a draft IRA report by 30 July 2008 to enable all interested stakeholders to provide submissions and comment.
In announcing this IRA, Biosecurity Australia has considered advice from the Import Market Access Advisory Group, which was established as part of the improved IRA arrangements to advise Biosecurity Australia on priorities for import proposals.
The regulations require the Chief Executive of Biosecurity Australia to formally announce the commencement of IRAs to be undertaken under the regulated process. This announcement triggers the start of the regulated timeframe for an IRA.
Further information on the new regulated IRA process can be found on Biosecurity Australia’s website .
John Cahill
Chief Executive
Contact: Louise van Meurs
Telephone: 02 6272 4042
Facsimile: 02 6272 3307
Email: plant biosecurity
The Government recently announced a comprehensive review of Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity arrangements. The review is expected to report by 31 July 2008. It is possible that recommendations for further improvements to Australia’s IRA process will flow from the review. Any need for further changes will be considered, in consultation with stakeholders, once the outcomes of the review are known. In the meantime, Biosecurity Australia will continue with its work program.