Letter as sent to stakeholders on 18 May 1999.
DG39 98/3461
Dear Stakeholder
IMPORT RISK ANALYSIS - TAHITIAN LIMES FROM NEW CALEDONIA
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of the outcome of the first round of consultation on the import risk analysis (IRA) for Tahitian limes (Citrus latifolia) from New Caledonia.
My letter of 16 March 1999 invited all stakeholders to comment on the type of risk analysis process to be followed in this instance. After careful consideration of all comments received AQIS has decided to proceed with the IRA using the routine process. This decision is based on the unanimous support for the routine process by the stakeholders who commented, and consideration that this proposal does not require assessment of significantly greater or different risks than those AQIS has previously examined.
AQIS will now form an in-house team of scientists with expertise relevant to this particular IRA. The team will conduct the routine IRA using procedures based on international standards. The steps of the routine process are outlined in the AQIS Import Risk Analysis Process Handbook, which has been distributed to stakeholders. During this process, AQIS will seek input from stakeholders and external technical experts if this proves necessary.
The draft IRA is expected to be released in August. You will be informed if there are any significant variations to this timeframe.
If you wish to suggest inclusion of an additional stakeholder in our distribution list for this IRA, or if you wish to be removed from the distribution list, please provide details to the Import Risk Analysis Secretariat at the following address:
Plant Division
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: Plant Division
Ph: +61 2 6272 3933
Fax: +61 2 6272 4333
Information on all IRAs the Plant Quarantine Policy Branch is currently conducting is available on the AQIS Homepage.
AQIS expresses its appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to this consultation phase.
Yours sincerely
Digby Gascoine
Director Policy and International Division
18 May 1999