Changes

Import of nursery stock from Pacific community countries is under review and currently not permitted.

Pacific community countries are: American Samoa, Cooks Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of nursery stock from Pacific community countries, Assessment Services Group and Inspection Services Group.

Background:
A potential new strain of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) has been detected in the Pacific, which appears to affect non-banana hosts unlike the strain of BBTV known to be present in Australia.
Until more information is known about this new strain of BBTV, nursery stock of possible host families – Araceae, Heliconiaceae, Musaceae and Zingiberaceae - are not permitted entry from countries in the Pacific community.

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