Changes

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has revised the post-entry quarantine (PEQ) requirements for Pome species (Cydonia spp., Malus spp. and Pyrus spp.) for use as 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:

1. The number of mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests has increased from 15 PCR tests to 19 PCR tests. The additional PCR tests are required to screen imported plant material for the presence of new regulated pests associated with the pathway:
   1.1. Apple rubbery wood associated virus 1
   1.2. Apple rubbery wood associated virus 2
   1.3. Pear chlorotic leaf spot associated virus
   1.4. Apple hammerhead viroid
   1.5. Apple necrotic mosaic virus
   1.6. Blackberry chlorotic ringspot virus
   1.7. Tulare apple mosaic virus.
2. Imported material will no longer be subject to mandatory herbaceous indexing as molecular testing will be the primary method used to detect quarantine viruses on the pathway.

The minimum quarantine period at the Commonwealth PEQ facility in Mickleham, Victoria will remain at 12 months for dormant budwood.

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 Pome species for use as 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.

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