Import Conditions

Case: Humulus spp. seed for sowing Effective 17 Jul 2015 to 29 Jul 2015

1. Please refer to thescientific names for a list of permitted species

Warnings and Information Notices


If a plant is permitted at the species level then all subordinate taxa (e.g. varieties, subspecies, forms and subforms.) of that species are also permitted. Similarly, if a plant is permitted at a genus level, then all species are permitted etc.


Where the parents of a hybrid are permitted the hybrid plant may be imported without a separate BICON case. Imported hybrids must be clearly labelled with their full parentage for identification by the department.


If the species you wish to import is not listed but you believe it is a synonym of a permitted species please contact the Import Services Team for an assessment.


2. Prior to the importation of goods into Australia, a valid import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture is required.
   

   An import permit may be obtained by submitting an import permit application to the department (if viewed online, use the 'Apply Now' button at the bottom of this page).
   

3. Each shipment must be packed in clean, new packaging, clearly labelled with the full botanical name (i.e. genus and species).

4. In order to facilitate clearance, airfreight or mail shipments should have all documentation securely attached to the outside of the package, and clearly marked ‘Attention Quarantine’.

5. Airfreight and mail shipments must be addressed in the following manner:

   Importer’s Name
   Importer’s Address
   C/- Nursery Stock/Seeds Unit
   Department of Agriculture regional offices

6. Seed must be free of live insects, soil, disease symptoms, prohibited seeds, other plant material (leaf, stem material, fruit pulp, pod material, etc.), animal material (animal faeces, feathers, etc.) and any other extraneous contamination of quarantine concern.

7. Following inspection, all seed must be contained and securely packaged to the satisfaction of a biosecurity officer and forwarded directly to the quarantine approved premises (Class 6.1 or 20.0).

8. The importer is responsible for contacting the post-entry quarantine facility to confirm all arrangements, including space availability and number of seed lines, prior to the goods arriving in Australia.

9. All consignments must be inspected on arrival by a biosecurity officer for freedom from live insects, soil, disease symptoms, prohibited seeds, other plant material (leaf, stem material, fruit pulp, pod material, etc.), animal material (animal faeces, feathers, etc.) and any other extraneous contamination of biosecurity concern.

10. The Department of Agriculture reserves the right at any time to:

    1. apply further controls on the growth of prohibited seed lines.
       

    2. rescind the right of quarantine approved premises operators to grow prohibited seed lines.
       

11. If an exotic pest or disease is detected, the Import Services Team, Canberra must be contacted immediately for further advice.

12. All plant material must be grown and disease screened/tested at a post entry quarantine facility approved by the Department. 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 on the import permit applications the station that their material is to be sent to.

    The following facility is approved:

    Name of facility	Contact phone number
    Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Station, KNOXFIELD VIC	+61 3 8804 2800

13. There are scheduled fees associated with the growth of seed lines in an Australian Government (Department of Agriculture) post-entry quarantine facility. These fees are to be met by the importer. Refer to the department website for further information on the Quarantine & export fees. State/territory government post-entry quarantine facilities may have different fee schedules and importers are advised to contact the relevant state/territory department for details.

14. All seed must be grown in a closed quarantine facility (class 6.1 or 20.0) for a minimum of 6 months for disease screening.

15. During growth in quarantine must be grown at temperatures of 15-25^oC in order to favour disease expression.

16. During growth in quarantine, plants must be actively tested for diseases of quarantine concern using ELISA, PCR testing and herbaceous indexing.

17. Prior to sowing, seed must be:

    1. immersed in hot water at 50ºC for 30 minutes.
       

    2. immersed in a 1% sodium hypochlorite solution (1% available chlorine) for 10 minutes.
       

    3. soaked in solution of fungicide (such as 0.2% aqueous suspension of dithiocarbamate fungicide), drained and stored in a plastic bag at 0-4°C for 6-8 weeks.
       

Warnings and Information Notices


All treatments must be performed at a quarantine approved premises (QAP) by a biosecurity officer, by an authorised person under a Compliance Agreement with the department, or under the supervision of a biosecurity officer.


Related Information:

• Seed treatment

18. For seed lines grown in a quarantine approved post-entry quarantine facility operating under a Compliance Agreement with the Department of Agriculture

    1. All plants must be inspected for pest and disease symptoms at regular/specified intervals during the growing period by a quarantine approved person authorised under a Compliance Agreement with the Department of Agriculture to perform quarantine activities.
       

    2. Fungicides and growth regulators are not to be used on plants without prior approval from a biosecurity officer.
       

    3. The quarantine approved premises operator must maintain records detailing:
       

       3.1 The results of all inspections including the name and position of the inspecting person, and the dates of the inspections for each seed line.
       3.2 All plant material/seed held and grown in the quarantine approved post-entry quarantine facility. These records may be subject to audit by a biosecurity officer.
       

    4. Release of material from quarantine is subject to provision of a “Release Request Form” detailing the name and position of the inspecting person, and the dates and results of the inspections. Release Request Forms must be forwarded to the Department of Agriculture regional office for approval and notification of release from quarantine.
       

19. If disease symptoms are detected an assessment of the biosecurity risk will be made by a biosecurity plant pathologist to determine the options that may be available to the importer. Options may include further identification, treatment, export or destruction.
    
    Further identification may not result in the release of the goods and may incur substantial additional costs and time delays for the importer. Further identification will only be offered if it is deemed feasible and the importer agrees in writing to accept all costs and risks involved.

20. If live insects or other pests are found they will be referred to a Department of Agriculture entomologist for advice on an appropriate remedial action, which may include treatment (if an appropriate treatment is available), export or destruction.

Warnings and Information Notices


Fumigation can reduce the germination rate of sowing seed. Fumigation should only be undertaken following consultation with a Department of Agriculture entomologist and with the consent of the importer.


21. No material will be released from quarantine until all testing and screening procedures have been completed and the material is screened for, and found negative of, biosecurity pathogens.

22. Under the Quarantine Service Fees Determination 2005, fees are payable to the Department of Agriculture for all services. A list of all quarantine & export fees is available on the Department of Agriculture's website.

23. Non-commodity information requirements for imported cargo also apply, please refer to the BICON case Non-Commodity Cargo Clearance.

Warnings and Information Notices


Containers, timber packing, pallets or dunnage associated with the consignment will be subject to inspection and treatment on arrival, unless certified as having been treated by a Department of Agriculture approved method.


All documentation presented to the Department to assist in determining the level of biosecurity risk posed by transportation pathways and packaging must also meet the requirements of the non-commodity case.