Changes

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) has completed a Weed Risk Assessment for Centaurea babylonica, Penstemon baccharifolius, Penstemon hidalgensis and Penstemon multiflorus. As a result, these species have been added to the ‘Plant species that are weeds’ BICON case and are not permitted entry into Australian territory.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of seed and nursery stock, Assessment Services Group and Inspections Group.

Background:
The Weed Risk Assessment and Disease Risk Assessment systems are science-based quarantine risk analysis tools for determining the weed potential of a species and the disease risks of a genus. All plants proposed for importation into Australian territory and not currently permitted in BICON are assessed for their potential to introduce disease or become weed species in Australia. Further information on the assessment process is available on the department’s website.

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