Alerts

Willow foliage (Salix spp.)
The Department has conducted a technical assessment regarding the risk of Phytophthora ramorum - Sudden Oak Death (SOD) and its association with willow foliage (Salix spp.) grown and exported from the United States of America (USA).

The biosecurity risk of SOD associated with willow imported as fresh cut foliage from the USA, cannot be managed appropriately.

Restricting import of willow foliage to Israel, a low-risk SOD country, is consistent with how the department manages other SOD hosts.

Fresh willow foliage for ceremonial purposes will only be permitted to be imported from Israel, and only immediately prior to and during the Sukkot festival period.

Maile (Alyxia stellata) and Pandanus odorifer
Import conditions for maile (fresh cut Alyxia stellata foliage) and Pandanus odorifer fruit segments have also been reviewed and will be amended to allow import to Australia from additional countries.

Maile (Alyxia stellata fresh cut foliage) and Pandanus odorifer (synonym: Pandanus odoratissimus) fruit segments will be permitted import into Australia from Pacific community (SPC) countries and Hawaiian Islands of the United States of America. The following is a summary of proposed conditions:

• Alyxia stellata - foliage only.
• Pandanus odorifer - fresh fruit must be separated into segments, which may be cut to look like flowers.
• Goods must be inspected by the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) prior to export and be accompanied by an original Phytosanitary certificate.
• Goods must be treated pre-shipment or on-arrival with methyl bromide fumigation at the rate of 32g/m³ for 2 hours at 21°C.
• Goods are subject to an on-arrival verification inspection.

Note: Pacific community (SPC) countries include, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kingdom of Tonga, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Island, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Nauru, Samoa (Western), Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna Islands.

Who does this alert affect:
Importers of fresh fruit and foliage for ceremonial purposes, freight forwarders, brokers, Pathway Operations - Air & Sea Travellers and Detector Dog handlers, Pathway Operations - Mail, Gateway Facilities, Pathway Operations - Cargo Operations (Inspection, Assessment and Client Contact Group).

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