29 July 2008
Biosecurity Australia Advice 2008/23
Draft Import Risk Analysis Report for Fresh Unshu Mandarin Fruit from Japan
This Biosecurity Australia Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Draft import risk analysis report for fresh unshu mandarin fruit from Japan.
The draft report identifies 14 pests that require quarantine measures: pink citrus rust mite, mealybugs (four species), leafroller moths (three species), thrips (three species), apple heliodinid, exotic pathotypes of citrus scab and citrus canker.
Depending on the particular pests of concern, the proposed quarantine measures include a systems approach restricting exports to designated areas, recognition of pest free areas, monitoring of export areas, post-harvest chemical treatment and/or visual inspections. This will be supported by an operational system to maintain and verify the quarantine status of consignments, and pre-clearance by AQIS.
This draft report is being issued for 60 days consultation. Written comments must be provided to Biosecurity Australia by 26 September 2008.
Biosecurity Australia Advice 2008/08, of 19 March 2008, announced the formal commencement of a standard, regulated import risk analysis (IRA) to consider a proposal to import fresh unshu mandarin fruit from Japan. The transition of this risk analysis into the new regulated IRA process recognises the work already completed under the previous process.
This Biosecurity Australia Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Draft import risk analysis report for fresh unshu mandarin fruit from Japan. Under the Quarantine Regulations 2000, stakeholders have until 26 September 2008 to provide written comments on the draft IRA report.
The draft IRA report identifies 14 quarantine pests that require quarantine measures to manage risks to a very low level in order to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.
The identified quarantine pests are pink citrus rust mite, apple heliodinid, mealybugs (four species), leafroller moths (three species), thrips (three species), exotic pathotypes of citrus scab and citrus canker.
The proposed quarantine measure for citrus canker is a systems approach, requiring:
- unshu mandarin fruit for export to Australia to be sourced only from registered orchards within the four designated export areas (Areas 1–4)
- freedom from symptoms of citrus canker in the designated export areas for a minimum of two years prior to registration of orchards for export to Australia
- freedom from symptoms of citrus canker during the growing season based on monitoring in the designated export areas at petal fall and prior to harvest
- an additional survey of the export areas if a typhoon should be recorded at the meteorological station in Shizuoka City before the end of August
- mandatory copper sprays in accordance with the unshu mandarin spray calendar for Japan
- restrictions on movement of host material into the export areas
- post-harvest chemical treatment.
The proposed quarantine measures for citrus scab are monitoring, orchard control and freedom from symptoms. The proposed quarantine measure for pink rust mite, apple heliodinid, mealybugs, leafroller moths and thrips, is inspection and, if these pests are detected, remedial action.
The designated export areas are considered ‘pest free areas’ for Japanese orange fly. Therefore the underlying requirement is for Japan to continue their existing orchard surveillance for Japanese orange fly to verify area freedom status for the export areas.
Western flower thrips has been identified as a quarantine pest for Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Melon thrips has been identified as a quarantine pest for Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. The proposed quarantine measures take account of these regional differences.
The draft report and information about the regulated IRA process are available from the Biosecurity Australia website. Printed copies are available, if required.
Comments on the draft IRA report must be submitted by 26 September 2008 to:
Plant Biosecurity
Biosecurity Australia
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: +61 2 6272 5094
Facsimile: +61 2 6272 3307
Email: Plant Biosecurity
Confidentiality
Stakeholders are advised that, subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988, all submissions received in response to Biosecurity Australia Advices will be publicly available and may be listed or referred to in any papers or reports prepared on the subject matter.
The Commonwealth of Australia reserves the right to reveal the identity of a respondent unless a request for anonymity accompanies the submission. Where a request for anonymity does not accompany the submission the respondent will be taken to have consented to the disclosure of their identity for the purposes of Information Privacy Principle 11 of the Privacy Act 1988.
The contents of the submission will only be treated as confidential if they are marked ‘confidential’ and can be classified as such in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
John Cahill
Chief Executive
Contact officer: Louise van Meurs
Telephone: +61 2 6272 4042
Facsimile: +61 2 6272 3307