Changes

Following a disease risk assessment of imported Arecaceae (palms) nursery stock, a BICON case has been created to include conditions for all Arecaceae species which are currently permitted for import.

This change brings together all permitted Arecaceae species into one nursery stock case. Permitted Arecaceae species were previously subject to the conditions within the following BICON cases:

• Phoenix dactylifera for use as nursery stock
• Rhapis spp. for use as nursery stock
• Forestry or amenity species that are hosts of Xylella fastidiosa
• Xylella fastidiosa hosts for use as nursery stock case

Under the new BICON case, imported Arecaceae nursery stock in all forms will not be permitted from the Philippines, Malaysia or Sri Lanka due to the risk posed by Cadang cadang viroid, and from Guam due to the risk posed by Coconut tinangaja viroid.

Consignments will require a phytosanitary certificate bearing an additional declaration to confirm that the material had been grown and sourced from a country free from these viroids. On arrival in Australia, the plants will require a minimum of 12 months of growth and disease screening at the Australian Government Mickleham post-entry quarantine facility, and mandatory PCR testing for phytoplasmas and Xylella species.

No changes have been made to the offshore arrangement for the department approved high health source of Phoenix dactylifera (Date Palm Developments).

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of nursery stock, customs brokers and departmental staff.

Further information:
Contact Plant Import Operations at imports@aff.gov.au or phone 1800 900 090.