Alerts

The National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of Israel has recently confirmed the first detection of Xylella fastidiosa on plant material in its territory, for details visit the EPPO Global database. Under Australia’s existing emergency measures for Xylella fastidiosa, the change in pest risk country status means that Israel is now considered a high risk Xylella fastidiosa country, and subject to the existing measures for high risk material.
For any plant species considered to be a risk for Xylella, then:

• Tissue cultures will require mandatory PCR testing and found free from Xylella
  

• Other nursery stock will require growth and disease screening in post entry quarantine (including testing for Xylella) or hot water treatment.
  

This change does not impact on seed for sowing. Xylella is not considered to be seed borne or transmitted.

Who does this alert affect?
Importers of nursery stock who import plant material (excluding seeds) from Israel.

Background
Xylella is a dangerous bacteria that can damage and even kill more than 400 different plant species in 95 different plant families. The number of plants affected by the bacteria is increasing every year. It is the number one pest threat to Australian horticultural and agricultural industries. It is also a pest threat to the environment.

Xylella can be transmitted by insects that feed on the sap of plants. It can also be transmitted with propagation of infected plants. Xylella can infect many horticultural, agricultural, ornamental and Australian species grown overseas (such as Eucalyptus and Acacia spp.).

In 2015, the Australian Government strengthened the import requirements through emergency phytosanitary measures for imported nursery stock to reduce the risk to Australia against Xylella.
The department has also announced the commencement of a pest risk analysis for Xylella bacterial pathogens, further details are available on the department’s website.

Import Permits
The department will notify clients to vary relevant current permits for nursery stock affected by this change.
Additionally the department will contact existing clients who currently have imported material from Israel undergoing post entry quarantine.

Further information
Please contact Plant Import Operations at imports@agriculture.gov.au or on 1800 900 090.