Changes

From 7 December 2022, the department will accept alternative diagnostic testing protocols delivered by the Naktuinbouw (NAKT) laboratory in the Netherlands for testing capsicum seed for the presence of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV) and regulated pospiviroids. The protocols also allow for an increased sub-sample size of up to 1,000 seeds.

When will the NAKT protocol commence for capsicum seeds?
The NAKT protocol will be implemented for capsicum seed for sowing on 7 December 2022, for seed lots tested in the Netherlands prior to export to Australia. From this date onwards, pathogen test reports issued by the NAKT laboratory using the new protocols will be accepted for imported consignments of capsicum seed.

Note: The NAKT protocols may be used as an alternative to other department approved protocols that are currently available for capsicum seed, which will continue to be accepted by the department. Refer to the department’s webpage to view details for other department approved protocols for ToBRFV and ToMMV.

What are the alternative import conditions?
The department has updated the ‘Capsicum spp. (requiring testing) seed for sowing’ BICON case, to include an additional import pathway for 'Pathogen tested prior to shipment at the NAKT laboratory'.

Consignments must be pathogen tested at the NAKT laboratory and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with the below additional declaration, as well as a corresponding laboratory report which meets the following report criteria:

• Phytosanitary certificate with the additional declaration: “The consignment of [botanical name(s) (Genus species)] comprises [insert seed lot number(s)] seed lot(s); for each seed lot, seeds were tested by PCR using protocols approved by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry at the Naktuinbouw laboratory, Netherlands, [insert report number(s)], on a sample size of 20,000 seeds (or 20 per cent of small seed lots) as sub-samples of no more than 1000 seeds and found free from Columnea latent viroid, Pepper chat fruit viroid and Potato spindle tuber viroid, Tomato brown rugose fruit virus and Tomato mottle mosaic virus."

• The laboratory test report must accompany the phytosanitary certificate. These reports must include:

1. The address of the Naktuinbouw testing laboratory.
2. The full botanical name of the species tested.
3. The date of testing.
4. The type of test done (including the protocol number).
5. The seed lot number(s) (which must match those in the phytosanitary certificate).
6. The sample size, which must be 20,000 seeds (or 20% of the seed lot by weight for small seed lots).
7. The sub-sample size, which must be no greater than 1000 seeds per sub-sample.
8. The pathogens targeted, which must include:
   a. Columnea latent viroid
   b. Pepper chat fruit viroid
   c. Potato spindle tuber viroid
   d. Tomato mottle mosaic virus
   e. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus.
9. The test result confirming that targeted pathogens were not detected within the seed lot/s.

When will import permits be varied to reflect the alternative import conditions?
The department will notify import permit holders and vary all affected import permits by 7 December 2022 to add the alternative import conditions containing the approved NAKT laboratory protocols.

All variations will be performed at no cost to permit holders.

When will these protocols be made available for tomato seeds?
The scope of this notice is limited to capsicum seeds only. The department is currently working through adoption requirements for tomato seeds for sowing and will issue a BICON Alert at a future date once an implementation approach is confirmed.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers (and their brokers) of capsicum seed for sowing, Client Contact Group Canberra and Cargo Operations.

Background:

• The NAKT protocols have been approved by the department for testing the presence of all regulated pathogens associated with capsicum seed: Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV) and regulated pospiviroids (Columnea latent viroid, Pepper chat fruit viroid and Potato spindle tuber viroid).

  • The department has assessed these protocols taking into consideration test performance characteristics and endorsed PCR-based validation reports and reference protocols.

• The protocols allow for testing to be performed on sub-samples of no greater than 1,000 seeds per sub-sample.

  • This is an increase from the current sub-sample size that is prescribed within existing testing requirements, which is a maximum of 400 seeds per sub-sample. This translates to a reduction in the overall number of tests required.

• The department’s approval is limited to the protocols being delivered by the NAKT laboratory, under the conditions specified in the validation reports and reference protocols.

  • Additional laboratories seeking to pursue approvals to deliver these protocols must provide a submission to the department for a case-by-case assessment to determine eligibility for approval.

• No changes have been made to the overall sample size that must be met for pathogen testing, i.e. seed lots must be tested using a sample size of 20,000 seeds.

Further information:
Please contact Plant Import Operations at imports@agriculture.gov.au (include ‘Plant T2 – NAKT protocol capsicum’ in the subject line) or phone 1800 900 090.