21 December 2012
Import risk analysis
Why has this announcement on fresh salacca fruit from Indonesia been made?
Indonesia requested market access to Australia for fresh salacca (snake fruit) in March 2011. Salacca is a market access priority for Indonesia. The announcement of the import risk analysis for fresh salacca from Indonesia is required to trigger the regulated process
What is an import risk analysis and how does it work?
An import risk analysis (IRA) is a process that identifies and assesses risks posed by the pests and diseases relevant to an import proposal. The process is regulated by the Quarantine Regulations. If the risks posed by an import proposal exceed Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP), the IRA specifies what measures should be taken to reduce those risks to an acceptable level. The IRA process is described in the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2011, available on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website.
The IRA process involves issuing a draft IRA report for a 60-day stakeholder comment period and considering and incorporating any comments, which are scientific and assist the understanding of risk, into a provisional final IRA report. The provisional IRA report is then published for a 30-day appeal period to allow stakeholders the opportunity to appeal, if they consider that DAFF has not properly followed the IRA processes set out in the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2011. Appeals are considered by the Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel, which is independent of DAFF’s risk assessment function.
A final IRA report is published after a policy determination is made by the Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine.
Does Australia allow any imports of fresh salacca now?
No. Australia currently does not permit the importation of fresh salacca fruit from any country.
Consultation
How will stakeholders be consulted during the process?
The regulated import risk analysis process requires DAFF to consult with stakeholders at key stages of the process for specified periods. As well as informal consultation at the commencement of the IRA, and the use of external experts to provide advice to DAFF, the public release for comments of a draft report is another means by which stakeholders are consulted.
Anyone interested in this process should register as a stakeholder. This can be done electronically through the DAFF website at www.daff.gov.au/ba/stakeholder.
Background questions
Will Australia be adequately protected from exotic pests?
A comprehensive risk assessment of pests and diseases of quarantine concern will be undertaken and, where appropriate, risk management options will be recommended to address any risks of exotic pests and diseases. The assessment will be based on the latest scientific information and the measures recommended will reflect Australia’s overall approach to the management of quarantine risk.
Can Australia have zero risk?
Science-based risk analysis provides an important foundation for safe trade. Australia only accepts imports once we are confident that the risks of pests and diseases that could be associated with specific imports can be managed in accordance with Australia’s appropriate level of protection, which requires quarantine risks to be reduced to a very low level.
Australia exports almost two-thirds of its agricultural produce. The future of our agricultural and food industries, including their capacity to contribute to growth and jobs, depends on Australia’s capacity to maintain a good plant and animal health status.
So it is very important to Australia that fair and consistent trading rules are in place around the world, as provided by the World Trade Organization. We cannot expect trading partners to take our produce if we are not prepared to apply the same rules to their products, nor could we be optimistic about new markets opening up.
A ‘zero risk’ stance is impractical, as it would mean no tourists, no international travel and no imports of commodities. Australia therefore invests heavily in science-based risk analysis and quarantine to ensure that risks are managed to a very low level.
Does Australia export salacca fruit?
No. Salacca fruit is not grown commercially in Australia. In parts of northern Australia it is sporadically grown as an ornamental or on speciality fruit farms.