Changes

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has amended the import conditions for Persea spp. (avocado) nursery stock, following a departmental review to ensure they are current and best able to protect Australian agriculture from new and emerging plant pests and diseases.

The review identified that the pathogen testing and screening requirements can be effectively completed in a shorter period at the department’s post-entry quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham, Victoria. The review recommended that the minimum quarantine period for Persea tissue culture, budwood and cuttings is reduced from 24 months to 18 months.

No other changes to the import conditions have been made.

The list of pathogens of biosecurity concern associated with Persea nursery stock is now available in the BICON case.

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

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.

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.

Further information:
Please contact Plant Import Operations on 1800 900 090 or by email imports@aff.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email with ‘Plant T2 – Avocado nursery stock).