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Biosecurity Advice 2022-P12 - Release of the draft report for the pest risk analysis for bacterial pathogens in the genus Xylella

16 December 2022

This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Draft report for the pest risk analysis for bacterial pathogens in the genus Xylella.

We initiated this pest risk analysis to assess the biosecurity risks of all Xylella species, and to determine whether the emergency measures manage the biosecurity risks associated with the trade in commercially produced plants for planting and seeds for sowing.

The draft report proposes risk management measures, combined with operational systems, and/or a period of post-entry quarantine in Australia prior to release, to ensure biosecurity standards are met.

The draft report is being issued for a public consultation period, closing on 1 March 2023.

Stakeholders are invited to have their say on the draft report. The department will consider all stakeholder comments received during the consultation period in preparing a final report.

We announced the commencement of this pest risk analysis on 2 August 2018 (via Biosecurity Advice 2018-18).

The spread of Xylella is facilitated through the movement of infected live plant material or infective insect vectors across the globe and is emerging as a significant global biosecurity threat. The disease caused by Xylella spp. is currently untreatable and can cause extensive damage and plant death to over 600 plant species, including many horticultural, agricultural, ornamental, and Australian species grown overseas (such as Eucalyptus and Acacia spp.).

Due to the severity of the disease reported across a wide range of host plants, Xylella is considered the number one pest threat to Australian horticultural and agricultural industries, and the environment.

No Xylella species are known to occur in Australia and no known Xylella vectoring insects are present in Australia.

To reduce the risk of Xylella entering Australia, we implemented emergency measures in November 2015 and updated these as necessary. These will remain in place until the pest risk analysis is completed and any recommended ongoing phytosanitary measures are implemented.

We initiated this pest risk analysis to assess the biosecurity risks of all Xylella species, and to determine whether the emergency measures manage the biosecurity risks associated with the trade in commercially produced plants for planting and seeds for sowing. The draft report proposes risk management measures, combined with operational systems, and/or a period of post-entry quarantine in Australia prior to release, to ensure biosecurity standards are met.

The proposed measures are largely consistent with the current emergency measures, with some amendments. These proposed amendments include changing the taxonomic level of plant regulation from the current target at plant family level to genus level. That is, regulating all plants within a genus that has one or more confirmed natural host species of Xylella spp. instead of regulating all plants within a family that has one or more confirmed natural host species of Xylella spp.

Amendments are also proposed to strengthen the regulation of imported tissue culture pathways by requiring a laboratory test report to accompany phytosanitary certificates. A program of assurance and verification of selected imported nursery stock and tissue cultures, including by conducting molecular testing for Xylella spp., is also proposed.

The draft report and information about the risk analysis process are available on our website.

We invite stakeholders interested in receiving information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses to subscribe via our online subscription service. By subscribing to Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant, you will receive Biosecurity Advices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy, including this risk analysis.

Monica Collins
A/g First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division

Telephone: 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1)

Email: imports@aff.gov.au

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Page last updated: 16 December 2022

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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