Import Conditions

Case: Cassava seed for sowing Effective 29 Jul 2015 to 30 Jul 2015

1. 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).
   

2. 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.

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. All seed must be grown in a closed quarantine facility at either:

   1. an Australian Government (Department of Agriculture) post-entry quarantine (Class 20.0), or

   2. a quarantine-approved post-entry quarantine facility (Class 6.1) operating under a compliance agreement with the Department (the importer is responsible for confirming that the post-entry quarantine facility is approved for growing the species being imported).

Related Information:

• Post-entry quarantine for restricted seeds

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.


10. 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.

11. 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).

12. Prior to sowing, the seed must be:

    1. immersed in hot water at 60°C for 20 minutes and then dried.
       

    2. treated with Thiram® seed fungicide.
       

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

13. Treated seed must be grown in a closed quarantine facility (class 6.1 or 20.0) for disease screening.

14. During growth in quarantine seed lines must be inspected at the following stages of growth:

    1. seedling emergence
       

    2. halfway through the growing period
       

    3. heading and flowering
       

    4. a final inspection of the harvested seed.
       

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

    1. All seed lines must be inspected for pest and disease symptoms at the four mandatory growth stages and at regular 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 Department of Agriculture authorised 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, the dates and results of the four mandatory inspections of each seed line. Release Request Forms must be forwarded to the Department of Agriculture regional office for approval and notification of release from quarantine.
       

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

17. Seed from plants screened and found to be free of disease may be released from quarantine by a biosecurity officer.

18. Once seed has been harvested, all plants, all residues, all derivatives and all materials that have been in contact with the imported material must be subjected to one of the following treatments:

    1. autoclaving at a gauge pressure 105 kPa (15 psi) or 121°C for 30 minutes, or
       

    2. high temperature incineration, or
       

    3. irradiation at 25 kGray (2.5 Mrad), or
       

    4. any other treatment approved by the department.
       

19. 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.
       

20. 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.

21. 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.