Import Conditions

Case: Carthamus tinctorius seed for sowing Effective 17 Nov 2016 to 06 Dec 2016

1. Prior to the importation of goods into Australia, a valid import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources 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. Seed must be free of live insects, soil, disease symptoms, contaminant seed, 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.

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/- Inspection Services Group
   Department of Agriculture and Water Recources regional offices

6. 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.

7. All consignments must be inspected on arrival by a biosecurity officer for freedom from live insects, soil, disease symptoms, contaminant seed, 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.

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



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


9. 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 disposal.
   
   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.

10. Prior to sowing, seed must be treated with one of the following fungicides:

    1. Thiabendazole, or
       

    2. Carbendazim®, or
       

    3. Thiram® seed fungicide.
       



All treatments must be performed at an approved arrangement site (AA site) by a biosecurity officer, by an authorised person under an approved arrangement with the department, or under the supervision of a biosecurity officer.


Related Information:

• Seed treatment

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

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

    1. an Australian Government (Department of Agriculture and Water Resources) post-entry quarantine (class 20.0), or

    2. a quarantine-approved post-entry quarantine facility (class 6.1) operating under an approved arrangement 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

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

14. There are scheduled fees associated with the growth of seed lines in an Australian Government (Department of Agriculture and Water Resources) post-entry quarantine facility. These fees are to be met by the importer. Refer to the department's charging guidelines for further information. 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.

15. For seed lines grown in a post-entry quarantine facility operating under an approved arrangement:

    1. All seed lines must be inspected for pest and disease symptoms at the four mandatory stages of growth and at regular intervals during the growing period by a person authorised under an approved arrangement to perform this activity.
       

       Note: The importer is responsible for ensuring that a Plant Pathologist, or other person suitably trained in the recognition of plant pests and diseases associated with the imported species, inspects the plants for any symptoms of pests/or diseases.
       

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

    3. The approved arrangement site 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 and Water Resources.
       

    4. Release of material from biosecurity control 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 and Water Resources regional office for approval and notification of release from biosecurity control.
       

16. 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.
       

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

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

19. 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), 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.
       

20. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources reserves the right at any time to:

    1. apply further controls on the growth of non-permitted seed lines.
       

    2. rescind the right of approved arrangement site operators to grow non-permitted seed lines.
       

21. Under the Biosecurity Charges Imposition (General) Regulation 2016 and Chapter 9, Part 2 of the Biosecurity Regulation 2016, fees are payable to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources for all services. Detail on how the department applies fees and levies may be found in the charging guidelines.

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



Timber packaging, pallets or dunnage associated with the consignment may be subject to inspection and treatment on arrival, unless sufficient evidence of a Department of Agriculture and Water Resources approved treatment is provided.


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.