Alerts

The purpose of this notice is to advise stakeholders of a revision to the pest status of Cercospora foeniculi, a fungal pathogen associated with imported Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) seed for sowing.

The Final review of import conditions for apiaceous vegetable seeds for sowing was released in March 2021. In the final report, Cercospora foeniculi was assessed as seedborne in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and a quarantine pest for Australia. Accordingly, pest risk management measures were proposed to reduce its associated biosecurity risk to an acceptable level.

Following further taxonomic review, the department has identified that Cercospora foeniculi is a synonym of Fusoidiella anethi (the pathogen’s preferred name), which is itself known by a synonym Mycosphaerella anethi that is present in Australia and not under official control.

Accordingly, Cercospora foeniculi (as Fusoidiella anethi and its synonyms) is not a quarantine pest for Australia. Pest management measures proposed in the final report will not be implemented, fennel seed will not require a fungicidal treatment or a PCR test for this pest.

Further supporting information on the review is located on the department’s webpage: Updated implementation advice for apiaceous vegetable seeds for sowing.

Who does this alert affect:
Importers and brokers of fennel seed for sowing and department staff.

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