13 April 2011
Why is this non-regulated risk analysis being undertaken?
Australia is responding to a formal market access request for table grapes from Korea submitted in 2007.
Why is the risk assessment being done as a non-regulated analysis instead on an import risk analysis under the regulated process?
Import policy already exists for table grapes from Chile, New Zealand and USA and Australia allows the imports of table grapes from these countries subject to specific quarantine conditions. An import risk assessment for table grapes from China is also currently being finalised.
A preliminary assessment of the pests and diseases of table grapes from Korea has not identified any new pest or disease types that were not assessed during the import risk analysis (IRA) for table grapes from China.
The importation of table grapes from Korea should not pose significantly different quarantine risks, or require significantly different management measures, than those that apply to table grapes from China.
In view of this, Biosecurity Australia has determined that the market access request for Korean table grapes will be conducted as a non-regulated analysis of existing policy, rather than a regulated IRA.
What is a risk analysis?
A risk analysis identifies the pests and diseases relevant to an import proposal, assesses the risks posed by them and, if those risks are unacceptable, specifies what measures should be taken to reduce those risks to an acceptable level. These analyses are described in the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2007 (update 2009), available on the Biosecurity Australia website.
What are the key aspects of a non-regulated analysis of existing policy?
The non-regulated analysis has had the same level of scientific rigour and technical assessment that a regulated analysis has.
Stakeholders have been formally consulted in the same way as with a regulated import risk analysis.
The draft non-regulated risk analysis report is being circulated for a 60 day formal consultation period. Any comments received during this process will be considered prior to the report being finalised.
What quarantine pests have been identified?
The 14 pests and diseases of quarantine concern are Kanzawa spider mite, harlequin ladybird, scarab beetles (two species), spotted winged drosophila, grapevine phylloxera, mealybugs (two species), leafroller moths (two species), the apple heliodinid, western flower thrips, grape cluster black rot and grapevine leaf rust.
What quarantine regime has been proposed for table grapes from Korea?
This draft report proposes a combination of risk management measures and operational systems that will reduce the risk associated with the importation of table grapes from Korea into Australia to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP), specifically:
- area freedom or a systems approach or post-harvest fruit treatment for spotted winged drosophila
- a systems approach (vineyard control and surveillance, fruit bagging and visual inspection and remedial action) for Kanzawa spider mite, mealybugs, leafroller moths, the apple heliodinid and thrips
- a systems approach (vineyard and packing management, and visual inspection and remedial action) for harlequin ladybird and scarab beetles
- area freedom or sulphur pad treatment for grapevine phylloxera
- area freedom for grape cluster black rot
- area freedom or a systems approach for grapevine leaf rust
- a supporting operational system to maintain and verify the phytosanitary status of consignments. Biosecurity Services Group (BSG) will verify that the proposed phytosanitary measures have occurred. A BSG officer will be present under a pre-clearance arrangement to inspect and verify pest freedom prior to export in the first year of trade. Pre-clearance will then only occur as required.
Will Australia be adequately protected from exotic pests?
A comprehensive risk assessment of pests of quarantine concern has been undertaken and, where appropriate, risk management options have been proposed to address any risks of exotic pests and diseases entering Australia.
The assessment is based on the latest available scientific information and reflects Australia’s conservative approach to managing quarantine risks.
Are there any regional differences for Australian states?
Regional differences have been identified for two pests. Kanzawa spider mite has been identified as a quarantine pest for Western Australia. Western flower thrips has been identified as a quarantine pest for the Northern Territory.
The proposed quarantine measures take account of these regional differences.
Does Australia allow any imports of table grapes now?
Australia currently imports table grapes from the United States and New Zealand. Imports of table grapes from Chile are also permitted and the first shipment is expected in arrive in Australia later this month (April 2011). An import risk assessment for table grapes from China is also currently being finalised.
Does this give the go-ahead for the importation of table grapes from Korea?
No. Stakeholders are invited to provide written comments and submissions on the draft risk analysis report by 12 June 2011 (60 days). All submissions will be considered carefully by Biosecurity Australia in preparing a final non-regulated risk analysis report.
Consultation
How does Biosecurity Services Group consult stakeholders?
Biosecurity Services Group is consulting with domestic and international stakeholders during the non-regulated risk analysis process.
Biosecurity Services Group provided a draft pest categorisation table for table grapes from Korea to the state/territory departments of primary industry/agriculture on 4 March 2011 for advance consideration.
The draft non-regulated risk analysis report is being circulated for a 60 day formal consultation period.
Biosecurity Services Group will consider all submissions received in response to the draft non-regulated risk analysis report within the consultation period.
How will industry expertise be used in this process?
All necessary expertise will be brought to bear to assess the relevant quarantine issues associated with the proposed import of table grapes from Korea. Biosecurity Services Group is inviting comments and submissions from all stakeholders, including industry.
Spotted wing drosophila
How has Drosophila suzukii been assessed in the draft non-regulated risk analysis report?
Given the recent detection of Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing drosophila) in the USA, its significance and the number of fruit import pathways potentially affected, a separate pest-initiated pest risk analysis (PRA) for all pathways was considered the most appropriate way to progress the management of this pest. Importantly, the D. suzukii assessment has been based on the draft PRA issued on 21 October 2010.
What is Australia doing about spotted wing drosophila?
Australia introduced emergency quarantine measures in response to the risks associated with the import of D. suzukii host fruits including cherries, stone fruit, strawberries and table grapes. Emergency emasures were applied before trade in host commodities re-commenced last season. These measures apply to current imports and those that are imminent as a result of an IRA or policy review.
Once emergency measures are applied, under the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement, Australia has an obligation to conduct a PRA to assess the long term risk and introduce any longer term measures. Biosecurity Services Group announced the commencement of a PRA on 31 March 2010. The draft PRA report was issued on 21 October 2010 with a formal consultation/comment period of 60 days. The final PRA report will be issued in early 2011. The PRA report will be used to confirm or modify emergency measures.
Background
Does Australia export table grapes?
Australia exports table grapes to many countries, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. The Republic of Korea is currently assessing Australia’s market access request for table grapes.