1 November 2017
This Biosecurity Advice announces the formal commencement of a review of biosecurity import requirements for the importation of fresh strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa) from Japan.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) will prepare a draft report, which is expected to be released for stakeholder comment in early 2018.
The commencement of this risk analysis is in response to a market access request for fresh strawberry fruit from Japan to Australia.
A preliminary assessment of the pests associated with strawberries from Japan has been undertaken. The potential quarantine pests of concern identified through the preliminary review are the same as, or of the same pest group as, quarantine pests of strawberries from New Zealand, the United States of America (California) and the Republic of Korea.
Given the similarity of pests of concern and that there are appropriate risk management measures for these pests, the risk analysis for strawberries from Japan will be progressed as a review of biosecurity import requirements (a non-regulated risk analysis), consistent with the Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis Guidelines 2016.
Further information on this risk analysis can be found in the Announcement Information Paper.
The department will prepare a draft report that will be released for stakeholder comment in early 2018. The department will consider all stakeholder comments received during the consultation period in preparing a final report.
The Biosecurity Liaison Officer will be the first point of contact for risk analysis enquiries and is an initiative the department is trialling to assist stakeholders.
The Biosecurity Liaison Officer’s contact information is as follows:
Biosecurity Liaison Officer
Strawberries from Japan
P: 02 6272 5094
E:
Plant Stakeholders
Dr Marion Healy
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division