Alerts

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) is changing the Cannabis spp. BICON case to coincide with the change in the Imported Food Control Act 1992 to allow Cannabis spp. products to be imported for human consumption within Australia. This includes whole (hulled or unhulled) seed, dried cannabis leaves or highly processed cannabis based products such as cannabis oil or extract.

The department conducted a review on the risk status of cannabis seed for sowing and identified several pathogens associated with the seed. Due to the risk associated with these pathogens and the risk of diverting seeds imported for human consumption for sowing, the department is also revising the current import conditions for whole (hulled or unhulled) Cannabis spp. seed for all uses other than animal feed, fertilizer and for growing purposes.

Summary of the measures for whole (hulled or unhulled) Cannabis spp. seed for all uses other than animal feed, fertilizer and for growing purposes.

From 12 November 2017, whole (hulled or unhulled) seed consignments of Cannabis spp. for all uses other than animal feed, fertilizer and for growing purposes must be devitalised prior to release from biosecurity control. The department accept the following measures:

• Offshore germination test with 100% nil germination result declared on a phytosanitary certificate or a lab report issued by an ISTA accredited seed lab, or
  

• Onshore germination test - this option will be offered only if seeds are declared treated prior to arrival, or
  

• Moist heat treatment on arrival in an approved arrangement site (AA site) class 4.1, or
  

• Further processing on arrival in an AA class 3.0 using one of the department approved processing method
  

For consignments that are in transit to Australia, consignments that are accompanied by documentation verifying that goods were shipped prior to 12 December 2017, are exempt from the new import conditions for whole Cannabis spp. seed.