Changes

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has amended the post-entry quarantine testing requirements for Vaccinium spp. nursery stock following a review of import conditions.
The changes are as follows:

• removal of herbaceous indexing requirements
• removal of electron microscopy requirements
• testing for Blueberry scorch virus will be completed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, rather than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

No other changes have been made to the import conditions for Vaccinium spp. nursery stock.

Background:
Prior to the review, herbaceous indexing and electron microscopy were mandatory testing requirements for Vaccinium nursery stock. These methods were utilised alongside molecular testing to screen imported plants for a range of viruses of biosecurity concern to Australia.

Our review has identified that the risk associated with quarantine viruses associated with Vaccinium spp. nursery stock are being adequately managed through other testing methods (e.g. PCR testing) to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection. Accordingly, conditions have been amended to streamline our post-entry quarantine testing requirements.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of Vaccinium spp. nursery stock, brokers and department staff.

Import permit holders will be contacted directly regarding permit variations.

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