We are conducting a pest risk analysis (PRA) for khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium). We are delivering this PRA in 2 parts. Part 1 focuses on the plant product pathway, while Part 2 will focus on the sea container pathway (to be released separately).
We have released a draft report for Part 1.
Pest risk analysis
When we do a pest risk analysis, we:
- review the science on the pest
- assess pathways for the potential entry of the pest into Australia
- review and evaluate the current measures (or emergency measures) for the pest, where applicable
- propose the maintenance of the current measures (or emergency measures) and/or propose new measures where appropriate
- publish the draft report
- consult the public on the draft report and then review comments
- publish the final report
- update import conditions on BICON.
About the pest risk analysis
Khapra beetle is not present in Australia. It poses a major threat to Australia’s grains, rice, pulse and nut industries as a serious storage pest and has potential impacts on international trade. It’s our second highest ranked National Priority Plant Pest (2024 and the highest ranked pest for our grains industry. Khapra beetle destroys grain quality making it unfit for human or animal consumption.
After observing an increase in khapra beetle interceptions during 2020, we implemented emergency measures (also known as ‘urgent actions’). These measures currently remain in place.
We initiated this PRA to:
- assess the biosecurity risks of khapra beetle
- evaluate whether the current emergency measures effectively manage these risks to achieve Australia’s Appropriate Level of Protection (ALOP)
- recommend appropriate ongoing risk management measures.
The current emergency measures will remain in place until the PRA is finalised and any recommended ongoing measures are implemented.
In August 2025, we announced that we will deliver this PRA in 2 parts. Part 1 focuses on the plant product pathway, and Part 2 will focus on the sea container pathway (to be released separately).
We are taking this approach because:
- the biosecurity risks and emergency measures differ between the 2 pathways
- the risks assessments, evaluation of the efficacy of existing emergency measures and proposed ongoing risk management measures need to be conducted separately for the 2 pathways
- Australia and the International Plant Protection Convention have several initiatives underway targeting sea container biosecurity risks, which will influence the analysis for that pathway.
We expect this 2-part approach will be more logical, efficient, and easier for stakeholders to review and provide feedback on.
Draft report – Part 1
The draft PRA for khapra beetle – Part 1 focuses on the plant product import pathway. It proposes risk management measures, combined with operational systems, to achieve Australia’s ALOP.
Risk management measures
The draft report proposes ongoing measures that largely mirror the current khapra beetle emergency measures for plant products. Specifically, the draft report proposes that:
- all the 7 existing emergency measures are maintained as ongoing risk management measures (see Measures 1-7 in Table 1)
- an additional measure is introduced for plant products imported for research purposes (see Measure 8 in Table 1).
Note: This table provides a summary only. Full details of the proposed measures, including definitions and applicable exclusions, are outlined in the draft report. All proposed risk management measures should be read in conjunction with one another.
| Measure | Description |
|---|---|
| Measure 1 | Not permitted entry for any ‘high-risk plant product’, imported from any country, arriving with passengers including crew (ship or aircraft) either as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage, arriving as unaccompanied personal effects (air or sea), or arriving via international mail (air or sea), for any intended use |
| Measure 2 | Not permitted entry for any ‘high-risk plant product’, imported from any country, arriving as low value freight (air or sea), for personal use |
| Measure 3 | Pre-export treatment, followed by pre-export inspection, and phytosanitary certification endorsed with additional declarations for any ‘high-risk plant product’, imported from any ‘target-risk khapra beetle country’, arriving as high value freight or low value freight (air or sea), for any commercial use except for planting |
| Measure 4 | Pre-export inspection and phytosanitary certification endorsed with additional declaration for any ‘high-risk plant product’, imported from any ‘other-risk khapra beetle country’, arriving as high value freight or low value freight (air or sea), for any commercial use except for planting |
| Measure 5 | Pre-export inspection and phytosanitary certification endorsed with additional declaration for seed of any ‘high-risk plant product’, imported from any country, arriving as low value freight (air or sea), for planting (commercial use only). Seeds for planting imported through PEQ in Australia are excluded from this measure. Additional specific options apply for pelleted or coated seeds |
| Measure 6 | Pre-export inspection and phytosanitary certification endorsed with additional declaration for seed of any ‘high-risk plant product’, imported from any country, arriving as high value freight (air or sea), for planting (except for research purposes). Seeds for planting imported through PEQ in Australia are excluded from this measure. Additional specific options apply for pelleted or coated seeds |
| Measure 7 | Pre-export inspection and phytosanitary certification endorsed with additional declaration for any ‘other-risk plant product’, imported from any country, arriving via any mode of arrival, for any intended use except for research purposes. Seeds for planting imported through PEQ in Australia are excluded from this measure. Additional specific options apply for pelleted or coated seeds |
| Measure 8 | Biosecurity containment (Approved Arrangement class 5), pre-export inspection and phytosanitary certification endorsed with additional declaration, OR apply for an import permit for high-risk plant products and other-risk plant products, including seed for planting, imported from any country for research purposes |
Key changes proposed
While the measures proposed in the draft report broadly align with the current emergency measures, some amendments to existing conditions are also proposed. These include:
- introducing a measure for plant products imported for research purposes (as noted above)
- amending the phytosanitary certification declaration for the inspection of treated plant products
- updating Australia’s list of ‘target-risk khapra beetle countries’ to include 8 additional countries: Angola, Chad, Guinea, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Turkmenistan
- removing Trogoderma serraticorne from Australia’s current list of Trogoderma species of biosecurity concern
- revising registration requirements for offshore treatment providers.
For further details on these proposed amendments, see the draft report.
Make a submission
You are invited to:
- read the draft report
- submit your feedback through Have Your Say.
This consultation closes on 27 February 2026.
We will consider your feedback in preparing the final report.
Download draft report
Draft pest risk analysis for khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) — Part 1
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, November 2025
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
Announcement
We announced the commencement of this pest risk analysis on 7 July 2022.
Next steps
PRA Part 1
Our public consultation on the draft PRA for Part 1 will close on 27 February 2026.
After this, we will:
- consider all feedback
- develop and publish a final report
Your feedback during the consultation period will help inform this final report. We expect to release the final report for Part 1 of the PRA in late 2026. Please note that this is an indicative timeline and may be subject to change.
Implementing changes to import conditions for plant products
The existing emergency measures for plant products will remain in place until Part 1 of the PRA is finalised. Once finalised, we will update the relevant import conditions. Noting that the addition of 8 countries to the list of target-risk khapra beetle countries will likely be implemented before the finalisation of the PRA, but after the consultation period of the draft PRA is closed.
All updated import conditions will be communicated to stakeholders and published on our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
PRA Part 2
We will also develop a draft report for the sea container pathway (Part 2). We expect to release this draft report for public consultation in the mid-2026. Please note that this is an indicative timeline and may be subject to change.
Implementing changes to import conditions for sea containers
Implementation of changes to import conditions for sea containers will be communicated in the draft PRA for Part 2.
Keep informed
Register as a stakeholder
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Contact us
For more information, email imports or phone 1800 900 090 (when prompted, select option 1, option 1).