Annex

Systems approach as a measure of risk reduction of yellow sac spider (Cheiracanthium inclusum) and black widow spider (Latrodectus Hesperus)

May 2017

Component 1 of systems approach: Vineyard and packing management :

• Growers must implement a vineyard and packing management regime that will ensure table grapes for export to Australia are free from these pests. Vineyard monitoring must be conducted at a frequency appropriate to the vine growth stage and the life stage of the spiders until the completion of harvest.
  

• Fruit must be packed in a packing house, not in the field, to reduce the likelihood of spiders infesting packaged table grape bunches. Additional security measures may be required to limit contamination by these pests after packing.
  

• Fruit must be inspected for spiders during the harvesting and processing stage. Table grape bunches suspected of being infested with spiders must be examined closely and if any live adults, juvenile spiders or eggs are detected, the fruit must be removed from the export pathway or subjected to remedial action before presentation for pre-export inspection by the National Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality Service - General Management of Vegetable Safety (SENASICA-DGSV).
  

Component 2 of systems approach: Visual inspection and, if detected, remedial action:

• Spiders are external pests and can be detected by trained quarantine inspectors. The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment recommends visual inspection and, if detected, remedial action as a second component of a systems approach for these pests. The objective of the recommended visual inspection is to ensure that any consignments of table grapes from Sonora infested with these pests are identified and subjected to appropriate remedial action. Remedial action could include any treatment considered to be effective against the target pests. The remedial action will reduce the risk associated with these spiders to an acceptable level.
  

• On-arrival inspection by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture Department, Water and the Environment officers will conduct phytosanitary fruit inspection on arrival. If yellow sac or black widow spiders are detected, the consignment will be rejected. SENASICA-DGSV is required to arrange for trace back to identify the source vineyard and the source vineyard must be excluded from export to Australia for that season or the remainder of the season.
  

Depending on the level of non-compliance, the department may suspend the export program (all vineyards and packing houses), pending an investigation by SENASICA-DGSV and a review by the department. The export program will recommence only when the department is satisfied with the outcomes of the investigation and that appropriate corrective action has been undertaken. Depending on the outcomes of the investigation, the department may consider reviewing the import requirements for these pests.