Alerts

On 16 December 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry released the Draft report for the pest risk analysis for bacterial pathogens in the genus Xylella.

Extended consultation period

The consultation period for this draft report has been extended and will now close on 3 April 2023.

Given Xylella’s importance as Australia’s number one priority plant pest, and the wide range of stakeholders with a potential interest in this risk analysis, the department is providing additional opportunity for stakeholders to consider and comment on the draft report.

We invite you to comment on this report through Have your say. We are specifically interested in feedback on the proposed measures described in the report and any other measures that might provide equivalent risk management outcomes.

Stakeholder information session

As part of the public consultation period, the department is hosting a virtual industry information session on Thursday 3 March at 3:30pm (AEDT).

This session is an opportunity to discuss the draft report and for you to ask any questions you have about the technical information in the report and the proposed changes to current import conditions. If you would like to attend, please register at:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/information-session-pest-risk-analysis-for-bacterial-pathogens-in-xylella-tickets-559354874487

The meeting will be held online via Microsoft Teams. If you register to attend the information session (via Eventbrite) you will be sent the link to join the meeting closer to the meeting date. There is also an option to join the meeting by phone.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of plants for planting (nursery stock) and seeds for sowing which are currently regulated as hosts of Xylella.

Background:
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry initiated this pest risk analysis to assess the biosecurity risks of all Xylella species, and to determine whether the emergency measures manage the biosecurity risks associated with the trade in commercially produced plants for planting and seeds for sowing.

The draft report proposes risk management measures, combined with operational systems, and/or a period of post-entry quarantine in Australia prior to release, to ensure biosecurity standards are met.

Further information:
Contact Plant Stakeholders via plantstakeholders@agriculture.gov.au.