Changes

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has revised post-entry quarantine requirements for Vitis spp. (grapevine) nursery stock, following a departmental review to ensure that import conditions continue to be fit-for-purpose in managing new and emerging biosecurity risks.

As a result of the review, a revised screening and testing program is now in place to detect the presence of regulated pathogens within imported material:

• The number of mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests will increase from 19 PCR tests to 22 PCR tests, to screen material for the presence of bacteria, phytoplasmas and viruses. An updated pest list for Vitis nursery stock is summarised in the BICON case.
• Imported material will no longer be subject to mandatory herbaceous indexing and electron microscopy, as molecular testing will be the primary method to detect quarantine viruses on the pathway.
• The minimum quarantine period at the Commonwealth PEQ facility in Mickleham, Victoria will be reduced to 14 months from 16 months for dormant cuttings, but will remain at 12 months for tissue cultured plants.

In line with the department’s standard operating procedures, additional testing may be required if disease symptoms are detected or if suspect pathogens are found, at the importer’s expense.

Import permits:
Affected import permits will be varied to reflect the changes, at no cost to permit holders. The department will contact affected permit holders regarding these variations.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of Vitis spp. (grapevine) nursery stock, brokers and department staff.

Background:
Australia has a strong biosecurity system in place to prevent the entry and establishment of pests and diseases that could threaten our agricultural industries, economy, and environment. As part of this system, imported high-risk nursery stock must undergo rigorous testing for pathogens of biosecurity concern at the department’s PEQ facility in Mickleham, Victoria.

The department is conducting reviews of high-risk nursery stock policy and conditions, funded through the Accelerating Horticulture Market Access program (AHMA) established under the ‘Enhancing Australia’s Agriculture’s Trade’ measure within the Australian government’s 2019–20 budget. AHMA supports further development of an internationally competitive and profitable horticulture sector and aims to improve access to clean plant genetics and propagative material as critical business inputs for the sector.

Furthermore, the tests delivered at the Mickleham PEQ facility are subject to continuous improvement based on the latest test protocols available to detect quarantine pests of concern. Any new tests adopted at the facility are validated to ensure they meet required test criteria, such as sensitivity and specificity to detect target pests.

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