from the Republic of Korea
1 April 2016
This Biosecurity Advice announces the formal commencement of a non-regulated analysis of existing policy to consider a proposal to import fresh strawberry fruit (strawberries) from the Republic of Korea (Korea) into Australia.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) will prepare a draft report, which will be issued for stakeholder comment.
The commencement of this analysis is in response to a request for market access for strawberries from Korea into Australia.
Australia has existing import policy for strawberries from New Zealand and the United States of America (California). A preliminary pest categorisation for strawberries from Korea has been undertaken and the potential quarantine pests of concern identified are the same as, or similar to, quarantine pests of strawberries from California and New Zealand for which existing import conditions exist. If new information about pests and diseases comes to light as the risk analysis progresses then this will be considered.
Given the similarity of pests of concern and that there are appropriate risk management measures for these pests, the risk analysis for strawberries from Korea will be progressed as a non-regulated analysis of existing policy, consistent with the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2011.
Further information on the analysis can be found in the Announcement Information Paper released with this advice notice and available at www.agriculture.gov.au.
The next step is to prepare a draft report to provide stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the analysis. The release of the draft report for comment is proposed for mid-2016.
Another Biosecurity Advice will be issued to invite comment once the draft report has been completed and placed on the department's website.
Following the consultation period, the department will consider all comments in preparing a final report.
The Biosecurity Liaison Officer will be the first point of contact for risk assessment enquiries and is a new initiative the department is trialling to assist stakeholders.
The Biosecurity Liaison Officer’s contact information is as follows:
Amber
Biosecurity Liaison Officer
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
Email: Biosecurity Consultation
Phone: 1800 068 468
Dr Marion Healy
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division