Changes

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has identified an additional regulated quarantine pest, Plum viroid I (PIVd-1), associated with Prunus spp. tissue cultures and cuttings. PIVd-1 is not reported in Australia, infections are reported to cause marbling patterns on the fruit or corking of the fruit flesh, resulting in unmarketable fruit.

This viroid is now included within the list of quarantine pests associated with Prunus nursery stock.

There are no changes to overall testing requirements. The presence or absence of PIVd-1 within imported goods will be verified using high-throughput sequencing testing which is already in place for Prunus spp. nursery stock as a primary screening tool to detect viruses and viroids.

Import permits:
There are no impacts to import permits.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of Prunus 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.

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