Changes

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has revised the import conditions and testing requirements for Punica spp. imported for use as nursery stock. These revisions are being implemented following a departmental review of policy 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 additional quarantine pests within imported material:

1. Tissue cultures will now require 12 months in closed quarantine at the Commonwealth post-entry quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham, Victoria, regardless of their country of origin.
2. The minimum quarantine period for dormant cuttings will remain at 12 months. However, post-entry quarantine must be completed at the Commonwealth PEQ facility in Mickleham, Victoria.

3. The number of mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests has increased. Cuttings will require 7 PCR tests (from 2 PCR tests). Tissue cultures will require 6 PCR tests to be conducted (from 0 PCR tests).

   These PCR tests are required to screen imported plant material for the presence of quarantine pests associated with the pathway:
   1.1. Cherry leaf roll virus
   1.2. Tomato ringspot virus
   1.3. Apple dimple fruit viroid

   1.4. Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris (16SrI-B)
   1.5. Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni (16SrIII-A)

   1.6. Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium - related strain (16SrIX-C)
   1.7. Candidatus Phytoplasma solani [16SrXII-A].

4. Imported cuttings will no longer need to undergo on-arrival hot water treatment and specific growth conditions to manage the risk of Xanthomonas citri pv. punicae as PCR testing will be the primary method used to detect this pest on the pathway.

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 Punica 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 has conducted 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:
Email Plant Import Operations at imports@aff.gov.au or phone 1800 900 090.