22 July 2016
This Biosecurity Advice (BA) notifies stakeholders of the release of the ‘Final review of policy: importation of Zantedeschia dormant tubers into Australia’.
The final report identifies pests that require phytosanitary measures to manage the risk to a very low level in order to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection
Biosecurity Advice 2015/03, of 29 July 2015, announced the release of ‘Draft review of policy: importation of Zantedeschia dormant tubers into Australia’ for a 30 day consultation period. All stakeholder comments were carefully considered before finalising this policy.
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the ‘Final review of policy: importation of Zantedeschia dormant tubers into Australia’.
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources initiated this review of existing policy in response to requests from the Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand and the Australian nursery industry to review the existing import conditions for dormant Zantedeschia speciestubers. Zantedeschia species, commonly known as Calla lilies, are used as cut flowers and garden ornamentals.
The Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand and the Australian nursery industry requested the consideration of alternative treatments to methyl bromide fumigation for Zantedeschia dormant tubers. In addition, the Australian nursery industry requested a review of the conditions for post-entry quarantine (PEQ). Consequently, several changes have been recommended to strengthen biosecurity measures for Zantedeschia dormant tubers, while improving access to new varieties for the Australian nursery industry.
The final report identifies 10 pests associated with Zantedeschia dormant tubers that require phytosanitary measures. Out of these 10 pests, two are arthropods, one is a bacterium, two are fungi and five are viruses.
The final report recommends a greater range of risk management options to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
Recommended changes to the existing policy include:
- updating the list of pests associated with Zantedeschia dormant tubers that require phytosanitary measures.
- permitting alternative treatments to mandatory methyl bromide fumigation for Zantedeschia dormant tubers from all sources, such as a hot water treatment or insecticidal dip.
- permitting entry of tubers produced under a systems approach. Systems approaches are based on a combination of production practices, crop monitoring and verification of pathogen freedom. It is recommended that Zantedeschia tubers meeting the systems approach requirements will be permitted entry into Australia without requiring growth in PEQ.
- reducing time in PEQ or an Approved Arrangement site for dormant tubers from non-approved sources, from 12 weeks to six weeks.
The ultimate goal of these phytosanitary measures is to protect Australia from exotic pests and diseases by maintaining plant health and preventing the introduction of identified biosecurity risks associated with Zantedeschia dormant tubers. The department considers that the risk management measures recommended in this final review of policy will address the biosecurity risks and meet Australia’s appropriate level of protection.
The final report and information about the risk analysis process are available from the department's website. Printed copies of the report are available, if required.
Please pass this notice to other interested parties. If those parties wish to be included in future communications on this matter they should contact Plant Biosecurity.
Dr Marion Healy
First Assistant Secretary
Plant Division
Contact: David Heinrich
Telephone: +61 2 6272 3220
Facsimile: +61 2 6272 3307
Email: Plant