Changes

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) has made the following amendments in import conditions for Cannabis spp. seed for sowing:

1. Limits to onshore hot water treatments of full container load consignments

The department is aware of limitations in existing AA sites which prevent full container load (FCL) consignments from being hot water treated on-arrival. As such, this treatment option is no longer available in BICON for this import scenario.

• FCL consignments that are not treated offshore prior to export or do not meet the requirements for pathogen freedom will be subjected to export or disposal.
  

• Hot water treatment is still available as an onshore treatment option for seed imported as non-FCL consignments.
  

This amendment is necessary to allow the department to better manage consignments that are destined for hot water treatment on-arrival in Australian territory, and minimise the risk of consignments being imported that cannot be logistically managed.

2. Simpler certification requirements for seed from New Zealand

Effective immediately, all seed lots from New Zealand (NZ) no longer need to be accompanied with the following additional declaration statement in phytosanitary certification:

“No live insects were detected on examination of sample”

Consignments sourced from NZ will now be subject to the same import conditions as seed from non-khapra beetle countries.

3. Updates to quarantine pest names in line with current classifications

Cannabis seed for sowing presents an entry pathway for the bacterial pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. cannabina’.

The scientific name for this pathogen has been recently reviewed by the department and updated to reflect its accepted name, ‘Pseudomonas cannabina pv. cannabina’. Import conditions related to additional declaration statements required on phytosanitary certification, which bear reference to this pathogen, have been updated in line with this change.

In order to transition towards the revised pathogen name, the department will continue to accept incoming phytosanitary certificates which make reference the previous name.

Background:

Hot water treatment is required to manage the risk of bacterial and fungal pathogens associated with Cannabis seed (Pseudomonas syringae pv. cannabina and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cannabis). Existing conditions are still in place for seed to be hot water treated either offshore or onshore at an Approved Arrangement site on-arrival in Australian territory. Importers are reminded that there are limited facilities available to perform hot water treatment in Australia. Importers are responsible for:

• contacting relevant sites to confirm all arrangements prior to importation, including the site’s availability to treat the quantity of seed within the consignment.

• all fees and charges associated with treatment.

The changes to simplify certification requirements and update pathogen nomenclature is an outcome of the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper [https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/agwhitepaper-bio-surveillance-analysis#strengthening-surveillance], during which the department completed operational reviews of plant, animal and biological import conditions to protect Australia’s biosecurity status and to maintain our market access for agricultural products. The review of import conditions sought to strengthen biosecurity surveillance and analysis, by ensuring that import conditions remain fit for purpose and effective in meeting Australia’s appropriate level of protection. The implementation of review recommendations for seed for planting is now being implemented under the department’s Accelerating Horticulture Market Access project.

Who does this notice affect:

Importers of Cannabis spp. seed for sowing (and their customs brokers) and departmental staff.

Import Permits:

Import permits will be not be varied, as the department will continue to:

• work with individual permit applicants to determine treatment plans prior to permit issuance

• clear consignments certified with the above live insect declaration and/or previous pathogen names.

Further information:

Please contact Plant Import Operations on 1800 900 090 or by email at imports@agriculture.gov.au.