Changes

The department has reviewed the insecticidal dipping requirements for imported nursery stock that are exempt from mandatory methyl bromide fumigation, and are to be subject to an Imidacloprid based treatment (with or without Eco-oil). As a result of the review, the department has made the following changes:

1. Revised the procedure for performing insecticidal dipping, providing additional guidance from pre- to post-treatment steps and considerations.
2. Provided a further option for the dipping treatment to be conducted unsupervised under a department approved arrangement, subject to an audit assessment process.
3. Outlined requirements for approved arrangement (AA) sites to be assessed against when applying for approval to conduct the dipping treatment unsupervised.

As a result, importers can now elect for one of the following treatment options:

• Option 1: Insecticidal dipping at an AA site approved to undertake unsupervised treatment of imported nursery stock

• Option 2 (existing option): Insecticidal dipping treatment of imported nursery stock performed under the supervision of a department biosecurity officer at an AA site with one of the following class approvals:

  • 1.1 – Sea and Air Freight Depot Operations
  • 1.2 – Class A Air Cargo Depot Operations (Unrestricted)
  • 1.3 – Sea and Air Freight Depot Operations (Restricted – Including Personal and Household Effects)
  • 2.2 – Agricultural Products Premise
  • 2.4 – Fresh Fruit and Vegetables and Cut Flowers

The importer is responsible for contacting relevant AA sites to confirm all arrangements, including the site’s availability to treat the quantity of plants in the consignment, prior to arriving for clearance in Australia.

Sites approved to undertake unsupervised dipping:

As of 02 July 2024, the following AA sites are approved to undertake unsupervised insecticidal dipping:

Any AA sites seeking to become approved to perform the dipping treatment unsupervised must make a formal request to the department at imports@aff.gov.au.

Who does this notice affect:
This notice is for departmental staff, importers or biosecurity industry participants directing permitted species of nursery stock exempt from mandatory methyl bromide fumigation for insecticidal dipping.

Import permits:
Current import permits will not be updated to reflect this change. Any permit holders intending to access unsupervised insecticidal dipping of imported nursery stock at an AA site approved to provide this service will need to apply for a variation to include the revised import conditions.

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