Alerts

Who does this notice affect:
This notice affects clients of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) who import FCL consignments of seeds, grains and stored plant products (excluding fresh produce).

What’s the change:
The department has updated the list of countries that are regulated as known Khapra beetle countries. The following countries are now regulated as a country known to have Khapra Beetle.

1. Kazakhstan
   

2. Korea (The Democractic People's Republic of)
   

3. Kyrgyzstan
   

4. South (Sudan)
   

5. Spain
   

6. Switzerland
   

7. Tajikistan
   

For seed, grain and stored plant products (excluding fresh produce) arriving as a Full Container Load (FCL) from a listed Khapra beetle country, then consignments must be accompanied with a phytosanitary certificate with the following additional declaration "The plant product(s) were inspected and found free from khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium)."

Goods in-transit:
For FCL consignments arriving to Australia without the required phytosanitary declaration, goods are subject to an unpack (for inspection) at a class 1.1 approved arrangement site.

Import Permits:
Affected import permits will be varied by 24 May 2019, by the department at no charge.

Background:
Khapra beetle (Trogderma granarium) is a destructive pest that can reproduce rapidly in stored products under hot conditions and is a significant biosecurity risk to Australia.
In addition to Khapra beetle being associated with commodities from certain countries, the beetle is also detected on conveyances such as shipping containers, as well as non-plant goods. It is the responsibility of overseas exporters and Australian importers of goods into Australia to ensure conveyances, such as shipping containers, and other goods are clean and free from Khapra beetle.

Further information:
For further information please contact Plant Import Operations Branch at imports@agriculture.gov.au.