11 April 2025
Who does this notice affect?
This notice affects importers of live plants (nursery stock), customs brokers and departmental staff.
What has changed?
The department has identified a scientific publication by Ahmad et al. (2024) reporting that the plant pathogenic bacteria, Xylella fastidiosa (Xylella), was detected overseas in commercial, field grown Cannabis crops.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has evaluated the experimental design and sampling methods used in the above report. We consider that the testing methodology and analysis follow well-established protocols to demonstrate that Cannabis is a host of Xylella, and regulatory measures are warranted to manage this risk to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.
As a result of this change in biosecurity risk, imported Cannabis spp. nursery stock must undergo additional testing during the post-entry quarantine (PEQ) period in Australia to confirm that goods are free from Xylella.
Reference
Ahmad, W, Coffman, L, Ray, RL, Balan, Weerasooriya, A 2024, ‘Microbiome diversity and variations in industrial hemp genotypes’, Scientific Reports, vol. 14, no. 29560, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79192-7.
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.
Background
- Xylella is Australia’s number one priority plant pest. It is an invasive bacterial pathogen that causes a devastating disease in over 700 species of plants. If it were to enter Australia, it would be practically impossible to eradicate as there is no treatment or cure.
- Prior to February 2025, the import conditions for Cannabis spp. nursery stock included mandatory testing for Xylella during the post-entry quarantine period in Australia. This requirement was enacted under the department’s original emergency measures for Xylella, which imposed regulations for Xylella on plant hosts at the family level.
- On 28 February 2025, Cannabis spp. nursery stock conditions and import permits were varied to remove Xylella testing as the department transitioned Xylella emergency measures to regulating plant hosts at the genus level. At the time, no evidence was found to support that Cannabis is a natural host genus of Xylella.
- The current changes are being implemented based on available scientific evidence demonstrating host association. The department remains committed to staying vigilant to monitor for new scientific evidence to inform the need to broaden Xylella risk management measures to additional host genera.
Further information
Please contact Plant Import Operations via email at imports@aff.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email ‘Plant T2 – Xylella’).