Alerts

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) has determined that imports of Foeniculum vulgar (fennel) and Anthriscus cerefolium (chervil) seed and nursery stock in the Apiaceae family pose an unacceptably high level of quarantine risk due to the possible introduction of the plant pathogenic bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum.

Summary of the measures for seed for sowing

From 20 October 2017, seed consignments of Foeniculum vulgar and Anthriscus cerefolium will require Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum OR hot water treatment (50 degrees Celsius for at least 20 minutes).

Transition phase

• Seed consignments of Foeniculum vulgar or Anthriscus cerefolium that are sent to Australia prior to 20 October 2017 will be permitted entry into Australia without mandatory PCR testing or hot water treatment to demonstrate the seed is free of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum.
  

• Commercial documentation must be provided to the department to verify that the date of export was prior to 20 October 2017. Seed imports meeting this transition phase may be cleared under the ‘Permitted seed for sowing’ BICON case or ‘Raw seed for human consumption’ BICON Case.
  

• Consignments not meeting the above will be subject to the new conditions.
  

Mandatory testing OR treatment of fennel and chervil seed

• From 20 October 2017 fennel or chervil seed consignments that land in Australia will be subject to mandatory PCR testing for Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum using a minimum sample of 20,000 seeds. This testing may be done on arrival to Australia OR offshore at any laboratory able to perform the required test, results of this test must be reflected on the Phytosanitary Certificate.
  

• A 20% sample of the seed lot of fennel and chervil can be performed offshore or onshore. If the testing is performed offshore, pooling of seed lots is not permitted.
  

• Phytosanitary certification will be required to attest to the testing requirements, and/or corresponding laboratory reports (that link to the phytosanitary documents) confirming the seed is found free of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum.
  

• Where phytosanitary certification is not presented or not accepted, consignments are subject to onshore testing in Australia at a sample size of 20,000 seeds OR alternatively seeds may be hot water treated (temperature of 50°C for at least 20 minutes) at a Department Approved Arrangement site able to perform the required treatment.
  

• Testing onshore may occur at the state government seed testing laboratory in NSW and VIC.
  

  Plant Health Diagnostic Service, Department of Primary Industries NSW
  

  OR
  

  Crop Health Services, Department of Environment and Primary Industries VIC
  

• The importer is responsible for all fees associated with testing.
  

Import conditions

• Import conditions for Foeniculum vulgar and Anthriscus cerefolium will be available on the BICON case: ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum hosts as seed for sowing’ from 20 October 2017 to reflect the new import conditions.
  

Summary of the measures for seed for human consumption

Seed of Foeniculum vulgar (fennel) and Anthriscus cerefolium (chervil) for human consumption must undergo mandatory devitilisation using a Department approved treatment method prior to release. 

Import conditions

• Import conditions for Foeniculum vulgar and Anthriscus cerefolium will be available on the BICON case: ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum host seeds for human consumption’ and will be available from 20 October 2017 to reflect the new import conditions.
  

Summary of the measures for nursery stock

The emergency measures require Foeniculum vulgar (fennel) and Anthriscus cerefolium (chervil) tissue cultures from a country where Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum is known to be present to be screened for a minimum of 3 months in a Government post-entry quarantine facility and PCR tested and found free of the pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum.

Import conditions

• Import conditions for Foeniculum vulgar and Anthriscus cerefolium will be available on the BICON case: ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum and Xylella fastidiosa hosts for use as nursery stock’ and will be available from 20 October 2017 to reflect the new import conditions.
  

For further information

Please contact Plant Import Operations, Canberra by email imports@agriculture.gov.au