17 July 2015
Purpose
To advise industry that the export of cut flowers and foliage from the Myrtaceae family, to New Zealand, is suspended effective immediately.
Background
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has advised the Department of Agriculture (department) that it will be amending their import health standard for cut flowers and foliage effective 17 July 2015, to suspend all importation of myrtle rust hosts from Australia following recent detections of myrtle rust (Puccinia psidii sensu lato (s.l.) complex (including Uredo rangelii)) in the Tiwi Isands, Northern Teritory.
This replaces the existing suspension of trade for Myrtaceae cut flower and foliage species from the states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.
The department has updated the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) Plant to suspend the export of cut flower and foliage species from the Myrtaceae family, to New Zealand, effective immediatley.
The department will work with the MPI to negotiate the reinstatment of trade.
Summary of changes and key points
The export of cut flower and foliage species from the Myrtaceae family to New Zealand is suspended effective immediately.
Contact Information
If you have any queries please contact the Horticulture Exports Program on (02) 6272 4743 or email Horticulture Exports Program ACT
Peter Creaser
A/g Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch