Changes

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has recently conducted a review of the import pathway for viroid complementary DNA cDNA to ensure import conditions remain fit-for-purpose and sufficiently address the biosecurity risk.

Viroid DNA harbours the potential to create a genetic construct that can generate replication competent and infectious viroid RNA. Therefore, import conditions for viroid cDNA have been revised to include the below clause that restricts the use and importation of cDNA in a vector to generate replication competent viroid RNA or used in a construct that can produce a viroid-like infection.

‘Plant viroid cDNA must not be imported in a vector, used (by any method) to generate replication-competent viroid RNA, or used in a construct capable of producing viroid-like infection.’

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of plant pathogens, plant-related microorganisms, fungi and genetic material for research and related goods as listed, as well as department staff.

Permit holders:
Import permit holders will be contacted directly about the impacts on their permits.

Further information:
Enquires related to this alert can be submitted to Plant Import Operations via email to imports@aff.gov.au.