Changes

The department has revised the recommended windows to import strawberry (Fragaria), raspberry/blackberry (Rubus) and blueberry (Vaccinium) tissue cultures and has adjusted the current guidelines.

Previous guidance recommended that these tissue cultures are imported between October-March in order to allow for establishment and disease screening to be undertaken in a timely manner.

The revised recommended window for importing these tissue cultures has now been updated to February-April. This is to allow for pathogen testing that must occur in spring and late summer, and to keep the PEQ period as closely as possible to the minimum quarantine period.

Testing plants at appropriate time points and growth stages is critical for our ability to effectively detect the presence of quarantine pests.

Consignments that are imported outside these months will continue to be accepted, however the overall PEQ period may be extended for such consignments at the importer’s cost.

Import permits:
The department will contact affected permit holders to communicate the updated recommendations. As there are no changes to overall conditions, permits that have already been issued will not be varied.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of strawberry (Fragaria), raspberry/blackberry (Rubus) and blueberry (Vaccinium) tissue cultures 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.

Further information:
Email Plant Import Operations at imports@aff.gov.au or phone 1800 900 090.