The final report recommends that the importation of commercially produced melon fruit (except oriental melon and oriental pickling melon) to Australia from all commercial production areas of Japan be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements.
The final report takes into account comments received from stakeholders on the draft report.
We announced the commencement of the risk analysis on 30 August 2023 (via Biosecurity Advice 2023-P07) and released the draft report for public consultation on 17 October 2024 (Biosecurity Advice 2024-P04). Comments from stakeholders on the draft report were taken into consideration in preparing the final report.
This risk analysis was conducted in response to a formal market access request for fresh melon fruit (except oriental melon and oriental pickling melon) to Australia from Japan.
The final report identifies 4 pests associated with melons from Japan that require risk management measures to reduce the biosecurity risk to an acceptable level. These pests are:
- fruit fly: pumpkin fruit fly (Zeugodacus tau)
- thrips: intonsa flower thrips (Frankliniella intonsa), western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and melon thrips (Thrips palmi).
The final report recommends risk management measures, combined with an operational system, to ensure biosecurity standards are met.
The recommended risk management measures, together with the operational system, will reduce the risks posed by the 4 identified pests to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia. These measures are:
- for pumpkin fruit fly
- pest free areas, pest free places of production or pest free production sites; or
- fruit treatment considered to be effective against fruit flies.
- for thrips
- pre-export visual inspection and, if found, remedial action.
The final report and more information about this risk analysis is available on our website.
We invite stakeholders to contribute scientific information relevant to this risk analysis at any time by emailing plantstakeholders@aff.gov.au.
We encourage 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.
Dr Peter Finnin
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
Telephone: 1800 900 090 (when prompted select option 1, then option 1)
Email: imports@aff.gov.au.