Changes

As notified on 19 November 2021 new import conditions have been applied to fennel seeds for human consumption with the following changes:

• Moist heat treatment, gamma irradiation or germination testing will be removed from the import requirements for fennel seeds for human consumption.
• ISTA purity testing (onshore or offshore) will be resumed to address the contamination risk of imported fennel seed consignments.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers and brokers of fennel seeds for human consumption and departmental staff.

Background:
Significant new scientific research has become available that demonstrates that seed transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum does not occur in fennel seed.

As a result, the department no longer requires fennel seeds imported for human consumption to be devitalised to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.

Further information:
Please contact Plant Import Operations on 1800 900 090 or email imports@awe.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email ‘Plant Tier 2 - Fennel seed for HC import conditions’).