Emergency measures for Xylella

From 31 January 2025, revised import requirements will be introduced to manage the risk of the bacterial pathogen Xylella in imported nursery stock from the People’s Republic of China. This will include changes to transition emergency measures from plant family level to plant genus level.

We maintain different import requirements for several plant species to safeguard Australia against the bacterial plant pathogen, Xylella (Xylella fastidiosa).

On 23 January 2025, we hosted an information session to update stakeholders on the upcoming changes. Please find a link to the recording below:

See more details of these changes.

 

About Xylella and its risk

Xylella is a serious plant bacteria. It affects many common plant species including:

  • wine and table grapes
  • citrus
  • olives
  • forestry and amenity trees
  • almonds
  • cherries
  • peaches
  • plums
  • avocados
  • blueberries
  • coffee
  • pecans
  • alfalfa.

Xylella is not present in Australia but is of major concern to our plant industries. If it gets into Australia, it will be practically impossible to eradicate.

This bacterial disease originated in the Americas. It has spread to Europe with recent detections in Spain, Portugal and Israel. In the Americas it is causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. Costs to California’s grapevines alone amount to $100 million per year.

High-risk Xylella countries

High-risk Xylella countries (where Xylella is known to be present in the country or wider region) currently include all countries in the Americas (including the Caribbean), all countries in Europe, India, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Taiwan, Türkiye and China.

Emergency measures

Emergency measures are currently in place to manage the risk of Xylella entering Australia via imported host plants and some seed species.

These emergency measures were introduced in 2015 to ensure that at-risk material is free from Xylella infection.

The emergency measures target Xylella fastidiosa, Xylella taiwanensis and all of their sub-species. The sub-species of X. fastidiosa include: fastidiosa, multiplex, pauca , sandyi, tashke and pear leaf scorch (PLS; now called ‘Xylella taiwanensis’).

‘Xylella fastidiosa’ means the species Xylella fastidiosa and all of its sub-species, and Xylella taiwanensis.

19 November 2015 

The additional import requirements came into effect for nursery stock belonging to a regulated plant family, and imported from high-risk countries or regions:

  • All countries in the Americas including the Caribbean
  • All countries in Europe
  • India
  • Iran
  • Lebanon
  • Taiwan
  • Türkiye.
19 January 2016Country freedom certification requirements were introduced for nursery stock belonging to a regulated family, that is sourced from low-risk countries or regions.
6 July 2019Addition of Israel as a high-risk country.
3 August 2020Emergency measures for nursery stock were expanded to include 9 new plant families: Cannaceae, Gesneriaceae, Linaceae, Polemoniaceae, Resedaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Simmondsiaceae, Strelitziaceae and Tamaricadeae
1 June 2021Emergency measures for nursery stock were expanded to 7 new plant families: Araucariaceae, Argophyllaceae, Athyriaceae, Corynocarpaceae, Dennstaedtiaceae, Haloragaceae and Violaceae.
5 November 2021Emergency measures for nursery stock were expanded to the plant family, Hypericaceae.
20 May 2022Additional import requirements came into effect for Carya spp. seeds for sowing, based on new evidence demonstrating the potential for Xylella to be transmitted from pecan seeds to pecan seedlings.
8 December 2023Emergency measures for nursery stock were expanded to the plant family, Simaroubaceae.
31 January 2025Addition of China as a high-risk country and introduction of plant genus level regulation for China only.

Requirements for nursery stock

The emergency measures for nursery stock apply to tissue cultures, rooted plants, cuttings, budwood, some corms and bulbs that are hosts of X. fastidiosa, imported from countries and regions where Xylella is known to be present.

The emergency measures are applied in addition to current import requirements.

Key import requirements to manage the risk of Xylella in nursery stock include:

  • Tissue cultures grown in high-risk Xylella countries will need to be tested offshore using DAFF-approved methodologies, and certified as free from Xylella by the government of the exporting country.
  • Non tissue culture nursery stock and plant material from high-risk Xylella countries must be grown under an offshore approved arrangement in accordance with Australia’s requirements. An arrangement will need to be in place prior to offshore certification of nursery stock.
  • Material that does not meet the requirements may be held and tested in an approved post-entry quarantine facility for 12 months or nursery stock material may be hot water treated, followed by standard post-entry quarantine screening arrangements.

Note: Some plant species currently categorised as high-risk nursery stock are not affected by the changes because Xylella testing requirements are already in place.

Phytosanitary certification will also be required for plants imported from countries or regions where Xylella does not occur. This is to provide assurance that these countries or regions are free from this bacterium.

Check Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) for all import conditions that apply to your goods.

List of appendixes

Country categoryOff-shore certificationOn-shore action if the Phytosanitary Certificate is acceptable 
(see note 3)		On-shore measures for consignments without an acceptable Phytosanitary Certificate 
High risk countries/regionsA Phytosanitary Certificate with the following Additional Declaration or equivalent words:
“All tissue cultures in this consignment were derived from mother tissue cultures that were tested by PCR and found free of Xylella fastidiosa as indicated on laboratory test report number [insert number/code here].”
(See note 4)		All other current import conditions for the plant species will applyTissue cultures must be de-flasked and grown for a minimum of 12 months in a government PEQ (see note 1) before testing by PCR. All plants will be tested. A positive detection of Xylella fastidiosa will result in destruction of the consignment.
All other current import conditions for the plant species will apply.
OR
Export or disposal		 
All other countries and regionsA Phytosanitary Certificate with the following Additional Declaration or equivalent words:
“Tissue cultures in this consignment were derived from plants and tissue cultures that were grown only in [insert country] which is free from Xylella fastidiosa”		All other current import conditions for the plant species will apply.Tissue cultures must be de-flasked and grown for a minimum of 12 months in PEQ (private or government) (see note 1) before testing by PCR. All plants will be tested. A positive detection of Xylella fastidiosa will result in destruction of the consignment.
All other current conditions for the plant species will apply.
OR
Export or disposal		 
Country category
(see note 5)		Off-shore certificationAction if the Phytosanitary Certificate is acceptable
(see note 3)		On-shore measures for consignments that come without an acceptable Phytosanitary Certificate
High risk countries/regionsA Phytosanitary Certificate with the following Additional Declaration or equivalent words:
“Plant material in this consignment was produced under an arrangement approved by the National Plant Protection Organisation in accordance with Australian requirements. Plant material in this consignment was tested by PCR and found free of Xylella fastidiosa as indicated on laboratory test report number [insert number/code here].” (See note 2)		Current import conditions for the plant species apply.Plants will be grown for a minimum of 12 months in government PEQ (see note 1) before testing by PCR. All plants will be tested. A positive detection of Xylella fastidiosa will result in destruction of the consignment.
All other current conditions for the plant species will apply.
OR
Plants will be hot-water treated at 50°C for 45 minutes. Following treatment, all other conditions for the plant species will apply.
OR
Re-export or destroy.
All other countries and regionsA Phytosanitary Certificate with the following Additional Declaration:
“Plant material in this consignment and its parent stock were grown only in [insert country] which is free from Xylella fastidiosa”		Current import conditions for the plant species apply.Plants will be grown for a minimum of 12 months in PEQ (private or government) (see note 1) before testing by PCR. All plants will be tested. A positive detection of Xylella fastidiosa will result in destruction of the consignment. All other current conditions for the plant species will apply.
OR
Plant will be hot-water treated at 50°C for 45 minutes. Following treatment, all other conditions for the plant species will apply.
OR
Re-export or destroy.

Notes

  1. There are scheduled fees associated with the growth of nursery stock in an Australian Government post- entry quarantine facility, which must be met by the importer. The importer is responsible for contacting the facility to confirm all arrangements, including space availability and number of plants, prior to the plant material arriving in Australia. Importers must clearly nominate the facility that their material will be sent to on the import permit application.
  2. Nursery stock and tissue cultures from high-risk countries/regions must be produced through an arrangement approved by the National Plant Protection Organisation of the exporting country to meet Australia’s requirements (Appendix 5). These arrangements have also been distributed to NPPOs through the IPPC notification.
  3. We will reserve the right to undertake testing to verify that a consignment is free of X. fastidiosa.
  4. PCR tests that will detect X. fastidiosa including recognised sub-species. PCR testing will require the following two tests:
    1. the rimM gene sequence real-time PCR test of Harper et al. (2010)11
    2. the conventional PCR of Minsavage et al. (1994)2 or an equivalent PCR that detects X. fastidiosa sub-species pear leaf scorch (PLS).
  5. 5. We have deferred implementation of X. fastidiosa emergency conditions for affected host certified bulbs (Narcissus, Hyacinths and Hippeastrum) produced under the Bloembollenkeuringsdienst (BKD) scheme from Netherlands. The department will continue to collaborate with the NPPO, to determine if alternative approved arrangements can be established for both certified and non-certified bulbs.

Australia regulates plant hosts for the risk of Xylella at the family level, but is transitioning emergency measures to regulate hosts at the genus level. These changes will take place in 2025 in a phased approach.

AcanthaceaeBoraginaceaeEscalloniaceae Moraceae Resedaceae
AdoxaceaeBrassicaceaeEuphorbiaceaeMyrtaceae Rhamnaceae
AltingiaceaeBromeliaceaeFabaceaeNyctaginaceaeRosaceae
AmaranthaceaeCannabaceaeFagaceaeOleaceaeRubiaceae
AmaryllidaceaeCannaceaeGeraniaceaeOnagraceaeRutaceae
AnacardiaceaeCaprifoliaceaeGesneriaceaeOrobanchaceaeSalicaceae
AnnonaceaeCaryophyllaceaeGinkgoaceaeOxalidaceaeSapindaceae
ApiaceaeCelastraceaeHaloragaceaePassifloraceaeScrophulariaceae
ApocynaceaeCistaceaeHamamelidaceaePaulowniaceaeSimmondsiaceae
AquifoliaceaeClethraceaeHydrangeaceaePhytolaccaceaeSimaroubaceae
AraliaceaeCommelinaceaeHypericaceaePinaceaeSolanaceae
AraucariaceaeConvolvulaceae IridaceaePittosporaceaeStrelitziaceae
ArecaceaeCornaceaeJuglandaceaePlantaginaceaeTalinaceae
ArgophyllaceaeCorynocarpaceaeLamiaceaePlatanaceaeTamaricaceae
AsparagaceaeCucurbitaceaeLauraceaePoaceaeTheaceae
Asphodelaceae
(Xanthorrhoeaceae)		CupressaceaeLinaceaePodocarpaceaeUlmaceae
AsteraceaeCyperaceaeLythraceaePolemoniaceaeUrticaceae
AthyriaceaeDennstaedtiaceaeMagnoliaceaePolygalaceaeVerbenaceae
BalsaminaceaeEbenaceaeMalpighiaceaePolygonaceaeViolaceae
BerberidaceaeElaeagnaceaeMalvaceaePortulacaceaeVitaceae
BetulaceaeEquisetaceaeMeliaceaeProteaceaeZygophyllaceae
BignoniaceaeEricaceaeMontiaceaeRanunculaceae 

Plant genus level regulation for Xylella is currently applicable for imports from China only. The department will transition emergency measures to genus level regulation for all other countries by the end of 2025.

AcaciaCortaderiaKerriaPlantago
AcerCorynocarpusKoelreuteriaPlatanus
AcnistusCotoneasterLactucaPluchea
AdenocarpusCrotonLagerstroemiaPoa
AesculusCydoniaLantanaPolygala
AgapanthusCynodonLathyrusPolygonum
AgathisCyperusLaurusPomaderris
AgrostisCytisusLavandulaPoncirus
AilanthusDaturaLavateraPopulus
AlbiziaDaucusLeonurusPortulaca
AlectryonDermatophyllumLepidiumProsopis
AlliumDigitariaLeptospermumPrunus
AlnusDimorphothecaLeucophytaPsidium
AloysiaDiospyrosLibertiaPtelea
AlternantheraDiplocyclosLigustrumPteridium
AmaranthusDittrichiaLinumPterospartum
AmbrosiaDodonaeaLippiaPyracantha
AmpelopsisDurantaLiquidambarPyrus
AmsinckiaDysphaniaLiriodendronQuercus
AndiraEchinochloaLoliumRanunculus
AnnonaEchinospartumLoniceraRaphanus
AnthyllisEchiumLudwigiaRatibida
ArbutusElaeagnusLueheaReseda
ArctostaphylosEleusineLupinusRetama
ArgyranthemumEmiliaMacadamiaRhamnus
ArtemisiaEnceliaMagnoliaRheum
AsparagusEpilobiumMahoniaRhus
AthyriumEquisetumMajoranaRichardia
AtriplexEragrostisMallotusRobinia
AvenaEremocarpusMalusRosa
AxonopusEremophilaMalvaRosmarinus
BaccharisEricaMangiferaRubus
BerberisErigeronMarrubiumRumex
BerlandieraEriobotryaMatricariaRuta
BetulaEriocephalusMedicagoSalix
BidensEriochloaMegathyrsusSalsola
BlainvilleaEriogonumMelaleucaSalvia
BoerhaviaErodiumMelicopeSambucus
BorreriaErysimumMelicytusSantolina
BougainvilleaEscalloniaMelilotusSapindus
BrachiariaEucalyptusMelinisSassafras
BrachyglottisEugeniaMelissaScabiosa
BrassicaEuphorbiaMenthaSchinus
BromusEuplocaMerremiaSenecio
BroussonetiaEuryopsMerytaSenegalia
ByrsonimaEutrochiumMetrosiderosSenna
CalicotomeFacelisMikaniaSetaria
CallicarpaFagopyrumMiscanthusSida
CallistemonFagusModiolaSilybum
CallistephusFallopiaMontiaSimmondsia
CallunaFallugiaMoquiniastrumSisymbrium
CalocephalusFatsiaMorusSolanum
CalyptocarpusFestucaMuhlenbergiaSolidago
CampsisFicusMuscadiniaSonchus
CannaFragariaMyoporumSophora
CapsellaFrangulaMyrtusSorghum
CarexFranseriaNandinaSpartium
CarpinusFraxinusNeptuniaSpermacoce
CartremaFuchsiaNeriumSpondias
CaryaFunastrumNicotianaStachys
CassiaGahniaNothoscordumStellaria
CastaneaGaliumOenantheStephanandra
CastillejaGamochaetaOenotheraStewartia
CatalpaGazaniaOleaStrelitzia
CatharanthusGenistaOleariaStreptocarpus
CedrelaGeraniumOriganumSymphoricarpos
CelastrusGinkgoOsmanthusSymphyotrichum
CeltisGleditsiaOsteospermumSyringa
CenchrusGliricidiaOxalisSyzygium
CephalanthusGochnatiaOxydendrumTalinum
CercisGrevilleaPachystegiaTamarix
ChamaecristaHalimiumPanicumTapirira
ChamaesyceHaloragisPartheniumTaraxacum
ChenopodiastrumHamamelisParthenocissusTeucrium
ChenopodiumHebePaspalumThymus
ChilopsisHederaPassifloraTillandsia
ChionanthusHelianthusPaulowniaToxicodendron
ChlorisHelichrysumPelargoniumTrema
CinnamomumHeliotropiumPennisetumTribulus
CistusHemerocallisPerovskiaTrifolium
CitrusHeteromelesPerseaUlex
CladrastisHeterothecaPersicariaUlmus
ClaytoniaHibiscusPhagnalonUmbellularia
ClematisHordeumPhalarisUrochloa
ClethraHumulusPhiladelphusUrtica
ClianthusHydrangeaPhillyreaVaccinium
ClinopodiumHypericumPhleumVerbena
CoelorachisHypochaerisPhlomisVernonia
CoffeaIlexPhloxVeronica
ColeonemaImpatiensPhoenixViburnum
CommelinaIndigoferaPhormiumVicia
ConiumIngaPhotiniaVinca
ConvolvulusIpomoeaPhragmitesVitex
ConyzaIvaPhylaVitis
CoprosmaJacarandaPhyllocladusVulpia
CordylineJacobaeaPhytolaccaWestringia
CornusJuglansPierisWisteria
CorokiaJuniperusPinusXanthium
CoronillaJusticiaPistaciax Chitalpa
CoronopusKaliPittosporumYoungia

Note: As of January 2025, there are currently no offshore approved arrangements in place for nursery stock from high-risk countries/regions.

These requirements are for offshore arrangements approved under Australia’s emergency measures for Xylella. The requirements apply to nursery stock of plants exported from high-risk countries/regions. Offshore approved arrangements are currently not available for imports of true botanical seeds that can transmit Xylella.

This section is about the overarching systems and processes to ensure that nursery stock produced for export to Australia is grown, tested and confirmed free from infection by X. fastidiosa.

The National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of the exporting country will approve the arrangements and ensure that the requirements are met. Several other parties, including the grower and testing laboratory will need to work with the NPPO to do this. The supplier will contact the NPPO of the exporting country to establish the arrangements. Australian importers should contact their overseas suppliers to ensure that the work is initiated for the arrangements.

The arrangements

The arrangements require these elements:

  • Propagation, growth, testing, certification and export under the authority of the NPPO of the exporting country
  • The facility where plants are grown is insect-proof so that it excludes all insects of the suborder Auchenorrhyncha (leafhoppers, froghoppers, sharpshooters, spittlebugs and treehoppers)
  • Plants for export to Australia are grown for their entire life in the facility regardless of the propagation technique used (e.g. plants grown from seed, grown vegetatively or grown in tissue culture)
  • All the mother plants are tested for X. fastidiosa by the approved protocol  up to 8 weeks before export:
    • nursery stock– the mother plants that are the immediate source from which the nursery stock plant lot was propagated are tested. This includes the mother tissue cultures or the mother plants that directly provided the material used to propagate the nursery stock plant lot.
    • Mother plants or mother tissue cultures will have been grown and protected within the facility for 12 months before testing. (Diagram 1)
  • Prior to export, an official sample is drawn from the plant lot and tested according to the approved protocol for X. fastidiosa detailed in the PCR testing requirements.
  • Plant consignments are packed and packaged to prevent infection by X. fastidiosa
  • Phytosanitary certificates issued by the NPPO with additional declarations including information that enables tracing of plant lines for export to Australia to test results and the facility in which the lines were grown.

Roles and responsibilities

The exporter and the testing laboratory should verify the requirements before the testing. We retain the right to monitor the arrangements by auditing and by sampling and testing consignments after they arrive in Australia.

The NPPO

The NPPO will provide oversight of the arrangements to ensure that they meet the requirements. The NPPO is responsible for approving facilities or authorising any independent entities that approve facilities on its behalf. We may request that the NPPO provide records relevant to the approval and management of the arrangements.

The NPPO or an entity acting under the authority of the NPPO will:

  • Inspect the production facility to confirm that:
    • phytosanitary requirements are met
    • the facility is insect proof
    • the facility is constructed and equipped to achieve requirements
    • records are maintained by the producer or the facility.
  • Approve the facility under the arrangement
    • audit the facility and records
  • Approve sampling of mother plants by the grower for testing or take samples of mother plants
  • Take official samples of the plant lot for testing
  • Maintain records of:
    • approved facilities
    • audits of facilities
    • phytosanitary practices within facilities
    • laboratory tests for X. fastidiosa.
  • Certify that plants exported to Australia are free from X. fastidiosa. This will be based on evidence of systems that confirm:
    • plants were kept in the registered facility throughout their life, from propagation to export
    • testing has been undertaken by a competent laboratory and laboratory reports have been sighted.

  • Phytosanitary Certificates must include:

    • additional declarations that indicate the status of the plant lot
    • the facility approval code/number
    • the laboratory report code/number.
    The grower

    The grower will ensure that:

    • phytosanitary conditions for Australia are met
    • plants are appropriately tested by an approved testing laboratory
    • samples of mother plants for testing are provided, if approved by NPPO
    • the facility is free from X. fastidiosa
    • the facility is insect-proof.

    The grower will also ensure that

    • complete records are maintained of:
      • plant lot identifying numbers or codes
      • the parentage of the exported plant lots
      • dates that plants are introduced to the facility
      • mother plants, i.e. plants that are the immediate propagation source from which plant lots were propagated
      • pathogens detected in plants in the facility
      • arthropods found in the facility
      • any plant material destroyed and the reason for the destruction.
    • all plants for export to Australia are transported in insect-proof closed containers or packaging.
    The testing laboratory

    The testing laboratory is approved by the NPPO as competent to undertake the testing required by Australia, using the prescribed testing methods.

    It will:

    • use the approved test protocol
    • record the plant lots or mother plants that are tested and the number of samples tested
    • provide the evidence of tests, results and operating processes to the NPPO, as required.
    Diagram 1: How the management system works
Decorative

Requirements for seeds for sowing

Australia’s emergency measures for managing the risk of Xylella in seeds are currently limited to Carya spp. seeds that are imported for sowing (planting) purposes.

To address the risk posed by Xylella, seeds must be held and tested in an approved post-entry quarantine facility for 12 months to confirm freedom from Xylella. This requirement applies regardless of the country of origin or export.

Check Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) for all import conditions apply to your import.

Requirements for PCR testing

This section provides the requirements for PCR testing to meet Australia’s emergency measures for Xylella fastidiosa.

Testing must follow the PCR protocols and should be done when the bacteria are easiest to detect. This is usually when leaves are mature, before senescence, and typically from late summer or in autumn for perennials.

PCR tests

PCR testing will require two tests:

  • rimM gene sequence real-time PCR test from Harper et al. (2010)1
  • conventional PCR from Minsavage et al. (1994)2 or an equivalent PCR that detects X. fastidiosa sub-species pear leaf scorch (PLS).

Samples from plants

To ensure accurate testing:

  • The sample size (number of units) will be set according to Table 1 in ISPM 313

    Ensuring a 95% confidence level that X. Fastidiosa is not present in more than 0.5% (level of detection) of each lot. A unit defined as an individual plant.

  • Two tissue samples per unit will be tested from tissue cultures, bulbs and corms.
  • Three tissue samples per unit will be tested from nursery stock plants and cuttings.
  • Mid-ribs of leaves must be included in the sample if the plant has leaves.
  • Living tissue with vascular structures will be sampled if the material has no leaves.

Note: a unit is a tissue culture plantlet, nursery stock plant, a bulb or a corm.

Bulking of samples for testing

For efficient PCR testing:

  • DNA extracted from up to 10 samples may be tested in a single PCR as a pool or batch, where a sample is defined as a single piece of tissue.
  • samples from different species should not be pooled.

Positive controls

For accurate results:

  • House-keeping gene positive controls must be run for each batch of tests to confirm that the DNA was extracted successfully.
  • House-keeping positive controls must be run for each different plant species.

Record keeping and certification

For proper documentation and certification:

  • The laboratory must record the plant lots and mother plants that are tested and the number of samples tested.
  • If the testing is conducted prior to export (nursery stock only) the:
    • exporting NPPO must verify the laboratory report and retain a copy, and
    • identifying code or number of the laboratory report must be provided on the Phytosanitary Certificate.

Harper, S. J., Ward, L. I., and Clover, G. R. G. (2010). Development of LAMP and real-time PCR methods for the rapid detection of Xylella fastidiosa for quarantine and field applications. Phytopathology 100:1282-1288.

Minsavage, G.V., Thompson, C.M., Hopkins, D.L., Leite, M.V.B.C. and Stall, R.E. (1994) Development of a Polymerase Chain Reaction protocol for detection of Xylella fastidiosa in plant tissue. Phytopathology 84: 456-461.

ISPM 31 in International Standards for Phytosanitary Methods, No. 1 to 32 (2009), the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. pp. 401–420. https://www.ippc.int/en/publications/588/

Future changes to import requirements

We will continue review and update the emergency measures when there is new information on the spread of the bacteria and host range.

A BICON Alert will be issued to notify stakeholders of any significant changes to import requirements.

See more

Contact us

For any additional enquiries email to imports@aff.gov.au

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern