Changes

Revised import conditions for Saintpaulia spp. for use as nursery stock are now in place to manage the risk of Australia’s top priority plant pest, Xylella fastidiosa (Xylella).

These actions are being carried out under Australia’s emergency measures for Xylella.

Due to new published literature showing that Xylella infects new hosts, the emergency measures have been extended to nine (9) new plant families. This includes the Gesneriaceae family, which comprises of several plant genera such as Saintpaulia.

The revised conditions will apply to consignments that are exported to Australia on or after 3 August 2020.

Background:

Xylella is Australia’s top priority plant pathogen as it has the potential to severely impact our agricultural and horticultural industries and the environment. In addition to having a large host range, Xylella is easily spread by sap-feeding insects and the propagation of infected plants.

Emergency measures for Xylella were implemented in November 2015 to broaden and strengthen Australia’s biosecurity requirements that safeguard us against its entry. These measures affected all genera and species within 89 regulated families, which has now been increased to 98 plant families.

The department will continue to monitor and assess evidence of new risks posed by Xylella and may amend import conditions again in the future.

Further information:

Enquiries can be directed to 1800 900 090 or via email at imports@agriculture.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email with ‘Plant Tier 2 – Xylella emergency measures’).