Changes

As notified on 16 January 2025, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) is implementing phased updates to Australia’s emergency measures for Xylella fastidiosa (Xylella). These updates involve amending import conditions to move from regulating host nursery stock at the family level, to the plant genus level. A list of Xylella host genera is available on the department's website.

Effective immediately, the following clonal grass genera are no longer subject to biosecurity measures to manage the risk of Xylella, as they are not considered to be natural host of Xylella (Table 1). Consequently, these nursery stock genera will no longer require mandatory Xylella testing during post-entry quarantine (PEQ) in Australia.  

Table 1. Genera of clonal grasses that are no longer subject to biosecurity measures for Xylella. 

Several genera of clonal grasses that are currently permitted into Australia are considered natural hosts of Xylella, and therefore Xylella testing requirements will continue to remain in place for these plants. The clonal grass genera in Table 2 have been assessed as natural hosts of Xylella, and are subject to the conditions within the ‘Clonal grasses that are hosts of Xylella fastidiosa for use as nursery stock’. These genera will require Xylella testing using polymerase chain reaction tests during the PEQ period in line with current regulations. 

Table 2. Genera of clonal grasses that are natural hosts of Xylella requiring Xylella testing during PEQ in Australia. 

In line with existing practice, the department will remain vigilant to monitor for new scientific evidence to inform the need to broaden Xylella risk management measures to additional host genera. 

Timeline to introduce genus level regulations for remaining plant genera:
The department is implementing genus level regulations in a phased approach. We plan to implement the change across all affected hosts and exporting countries by the end of 2025. Until this occurs, current import conditions will apply. 

Background:

• Xylella is Australia’s highest National Priority Plant Pest. It is an invasive bacterial pathogen that causes a devastating disease in over 700 plant species. If it were to enter Australia, it would be practically impossible to eradicate as there is no treatment or cure. 
• Australia's Xylella emergency measures previously regulated all plant species belonging to a plant family that contains at least one confirmed natural host species of Xylella.  
• In 2022, the department released the draft Xylella pest risk analysis for stakeholder consultation, which recommended changing the taxonomic level of plant regulation from family level to genus level. That is, regulating all plants within a genus that has one or more confirmed natural host species of Xylella instead of regulating all plants within a family that has one or more confirmed natural host species of Xylella. 
• The department has since completed an updated risk assessment which considers the latest scientific information, the recommendations in the draft pest risk analysis report and stakeholder submissions. As a result, we are making changes to existing emergency measures to transition conditions from family level regulation for host nursery stock pathways. 

Import permits: 
The department will contact affected import permit holders to vary existing permits in line with the above changes, at no cost to permit holders. 

Who does this notice affect: 
Importers of high-risk nursery stock that has been assessed as a host of Xylella fastidiosa, customs brokers and departmental staff. 

Further information: 
Please contact Plant Import Operations on 1800 900 090 or email imports@aff.gov.au.