Alerts

The Department of Agriculture has recently completed a review of cold treatment schedules used to mitigate the biosecurity risks associated with fruit flies in imported horticultural fresh produce. The purpose of the review was to ensure that the cold treatment schedules are supported by the latest available science.

As a result of the review, the department has updated cold treatment schedules for mitigating biosecurity risks associated with Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly) in the following citrus fruits from Spain, effective from 15^th November 2019: calamondin, cumquat, grapefruit, lemons, lime, mandarins, pomelo, sweet and sour oranges, tangelo, tangerines and tangor.

From 15^th November 2019, one of the following updated cold treatment schedules must be used as pest risk management measures against Ceratitis capitata for fresh citrus fruits from Spain:

1. For calamondin, cumquat, grapefruit, lime, mandarins, pomelo, sweet and sour oranges, tangelo, tangerines and tangor, with fruit pulp temperature at or below:
   

   • 1.11°C for not less than 14 consecutive days, or
     

   • 1.67°C for not less than 16 consecutive days, or
     

   • 2.22°C for not less than 18 consecutive days, or
     

   • 3.0°C for not less than 20 consecutive days.
     

2. For lemons, with fruit pulp temperature at or below:
   

   • 1.11°C for not less than 14 consecutive days, or
     

   • 2.0°C for not less than 16 consecutive days, or
     

   • 3.0°C for not less than 18 consecutive days.
     

Who does this alert affect:
Importers of fresh citrus from Spain and Assessment Services Group.

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