17 January 2018
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Draft report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh dragon fruit from Indonesia.
This draft report proposes that importation of fresh dragon fruit to Australia from commercial production areas in Indonesia be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements.
The draft report is being issued for a 60 calendar day public consultation period. Written comments and submissions are invited by 19 March 2018.
This risk analysis is being conducted in response to a market access request for fresh dragon fruit (Genus Hylocereus) from Indonesia to Australia, and is funded through the Australian Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper to strengthen biosecurity surveillance and analysis.
Australia recently finalised the import policy for fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam. Pests considered in the policy for Vietnamese dragon fruit and other import policies, were taken into consideration and included in this review of biosecurity import requirements for dragon fruit from Indonesia.
The potential pests of quarantine concern associated with fresh dragon fruit from Indonesia have been identified as requiring risk management measures. The quarantine pests identified are melon fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae), oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis), grey pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes), papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus), coffee mealybug (Planococcus lilacinus), Pacific mealybug (Planococcus minor) and Jack Beardsley mealybug (Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi). These pests have been assessed previously and risk management measures already exist to reduce the risks posed by these pests and achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia.
The department was able to prepare the draft report for Indonesian dragon fruit in a short timeframe by building on the policy for Vietnamese dragon fruit, with only one additional pest, the papaya mealybug, identified in Indonesia that requires measures. Accordingly, the draft report for Indonesian dragon fruit proposes the same measures as those in the Vietnamese dragon fruit policy. The measures in place for mealybugs in the Vietnam policy will also mitigate the risks posed by the additional mealybug identified in the Indonesian draft report. Furthermore, the additional mealybug has been considered previously for fresh mango fruit from Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.
This draft report proposes a range of risk management measures, combined with operational systems, to reduce risks posed by the seven quarantine pests. These measures include:
- Fruit flies - area freedom, irradiation or vapour heat treatment.
- Mealybugs - consignment freedom verified by visual inspection and, if detected, remedial action.
Stakeholders are invited to have their say on the draft report. The closing date for submissions is 19 March 2018. The department will consider all stakeholder submissions received during the public consultation period in preparing a final report.
The draft report and information about the risk analysis process are available from the department’s website. Printed copies of the report are available on request.
Dr Marion Healy
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division
Contact: Peter Creaser
Telephone: +61 2 6272 5094
Email: Plant Stakeholders