25 August 2011
Non-regulated risk analysis
Why was this non-regulated risk analysis undertaken?
Australia is responding to the Republic of Korea’s (hereafter Korea) request to export table grapes to Australia, dating from 2007.
This extension of existing policy is based on Australia’s quarantine policies for the importation of table grapes from Chile, China, New Zealand and the United States of America (USA).
Why was a non-regulated analysis undertaken rather than an IRA?
Due to the commonalities between pests found in Korea and China, Chile and the USA and the mitigation measures required to manage these pests, a non-regulated analysis was considered to be appropriate for progressing Korea’s market access request. Accordingly, Plant Biosecurity advised stakeholders on 12 November 2010 (BAA 2010/34) that the access request would be considered as a non-regulated analysis of existing policy for table grapes from China, Chile and the USA.
What is the purpose of this non-regulated analysis?
The purpose of this non-regulated analysis was to identify pests of quarantine concern associated with table grapes from Korea and evaluate the existing policy and recommend additional measures where required.
What quarantine pests have been identified?
This non-regulated analysis has identified 14 pests and diseases (1 mite, 11 arthropods and 2 fungal pathogens) that will require quarantine measures to manage risks to a very low level in order to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
The pests include: spotted wing drosophila, Kanzawa spider mite, harlequin ladybird, scarab beetles (two species), grapevine phylloxera, mealybugs (two species), leafrollers (two species), apple heliodinid, western flower thrips.
The diseases include: grape cluster black rot and grapevine leaf rust.
Have these pests previously undergone risk assessments?
All 14 quarantine pests identified in this non-regulated analysis were previously assessed in the policy to import table grapes from China.
What quarantine measures have been recommended for the importation of table grapes from Korea?
Quarantine measures recommended for table grapes from Korea build on Australia’s existing policy for the importation of table grapes from Chile, China, and the USA. The final report recommends the following measures:
- area freedom or a systems approach (in-field measures including pest surveys and fruit bagging, and post-harvest measures including inspection, grading, sanitation and trapping in the packing house) or fruit treatment for spotted wing drosophila
- a systems approach (vineyard control and surveillance, fruit bagging and visual inspection and remedial action) for Kanzawa spider mite, mealybugs, tortricid moths, apple heliodinid and thrips
- a systems approach (vineyard and packing management, and visual inspection and remedial action) for harlequin ladybird and scarab beetles
- area freedom or sulphur pad treatment for grapevine phylloxera
- area freedom for grape cluster black rot
- area freedom or a systems approach for grapevine leaf rust
- a supporting operational system to maintain and verify the phytosanitary status of consignments.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) officers will be present in Korea under an off-shore verification arrangement to inspect and verify all consignments prior to export. The off-shore verification arrangement is to be used at least for initial trade in the first year. Subsequently, subject to a review of the trade and agreement by DAFF and NPQS on a region by region basis, off-shore verification arrangements of lots in Korea may not be mandatory in the future and in this case AQIS will conduct the quarantine inspection on arrival in Australia.
Will Australia be adequately protected from exotic pests?
A comprehensive risk analysis of this commodity has been undertaken and appropriate risk management options have been proposed to address any risks of quarantine pests of concern entering Australia. The assessment is based on the latest available scientific information and reflects Australia’s conservative approach to managing quarantine risks.
Are there any regional differences for Australian states?
Regional differences have been identified for two pests. Kanzawa spider mite has been identified as a quarantine pest for Western Australia and western flower thrips has been identified as a quarantine pest for the Northern Territory.
The proposed quarantine measures take account of these regional differences.
What are the next steps?
Australia’s and Korea’s quarantine authorities will develop an import protocol that implements risk management measures recommended in the final non-regulated analysis report.
DAFF is responsible for implementing this policy. This will include conducting an off-shore verification inspection and a systems audit in Korea.
Once the quarantine conditions are established, trade may commence, but only after an import permit is granted by DAFF.
Consultation
How does DAFF consult stakeholders?
DAFF consults with stakeholders by releasing Biosecurity Australia Advices (BAA) and draft documents, as well as informal consultation throughout the risk analysis.
Did stakeholders provide comments on the draft report?
Submissions were received from both domestic and international stakeholders. These comments were considered carefully in the preparation of the final report.
Stakeholders were also consulted informally on development of this report. The communication between the Australian Table Grape Association and DAFF is ongoing.
Spotted wing drosophila
How has spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) been assessed in this non-regulated risk analysis report?
Given the recent detection of spotted wing drosophila (SWD) in the USA, its significance and the number of fruit import pathways potentially affected, a separate pest-initiated pest risk analysis (PRA) for all pathways has been conducted.
Importantly, the SWD assessment in the Korean table grapes policy was based on the draft SWD PRA released on 21 October 2010. The measures established for the importation of table grapes from Korea are consistent with the emergency requirements currently in place and will be reviewed in light of the measures established in the final PRA for D. suzukii.
Background
Does Australia allow any imports of table grapes now?
Australia currently imports table grapes from the United States and New Zealand. Imports of table grapes from Chile and China are permitted but no trade has occurred to date.
Does Australia export table grapes?
Australia exports table grapes to many countries, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. The Republic of Korea is currently assessing Australia’s market access request for table grapes.