Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, August 2018
This risk analysis was initiated in response to a formal market access request from Taiwan for the importation of fresh decrowned pineapples to Australia from Taiwan.
Download
Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
2 | 582 KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for help.
Online version
Key facts
- The department released the draft report for fresh decrowned pineapples from Taiwan on
- 29 August 2018.
- Stakeholders can submit comments on the draft report during a 60 calendar day public consultation period, closing 29 October 2018.
- The final report will be published after consideration of comments on the draft report. The department expects to publish the report in early 2019.
Risk analysis for pineapples from Taiwan
This risk analysis was initiated in response to a formal market access request from Taiwan for the importation of fresh decrowned pineapples to Australia from Taiwan.
As a World Trade Organization member, Australia must assess import proposals and develop the least trade restrictive, and scientifically justified import conditions where required. The same scientific principles are used by our trading partners when assessing Australian goods.
Australia currently permits imports of fresh decrowned pineapples from the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka and Thailand, provided they meet Australia’s biosecurity requirements.
The draft report identifies five quarantine pests (mealybugs) and two regulated articles (regulated thrips) associated with decrowned pineapples from Taiwan, that require risk management measures, combined with operational systems, to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection. These pests are:
- Mealybugs: grey pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes), papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus), Madeira mealybug (Phenacoccus madeirensis), Pacific mealybug (Planococcus minor), and Jack Beardsley mealybug (Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi).
- Thrips: cotton thrips (Frankliniella schultzei) and onion thrips (Thrips tabaci). These thrips are regulated articles because they can transmit and spread orthotospoviruses that are quarantine pests for Australia.
The draft report proposes fruit treatment (such as methyl bromide fumigation) to reduce the risks posed by these pests.
Process for the risk analysis
The objective of undertaking a risk analysis is to ensure that any fresh products imported into Australia are free from unwanted pests and diseases. The department initially identifies pests and diseases associated with fruit or vegetable production and export in the source country that are not present in Australia.
The assessment includes analysis of the potential pests of concern and recommends risk management measures if required. If there are no available risk management measures to effectively manage particular biosecurity risks, trade is not permitted until suitable measures are identified.
As part of the risk analysis process, the department will also verify commercial production, packing and export practices in the source country.How stakeholders can contribute
Stakeholders are invited to comment on the draft report during the 60 calendar day public consultation period, which closes on 29 October 2018. Stakeholders can make their submission via the department’s website.
The final report will be published after consideration of stakeholder comments.
Pineapples in Taiwan
Pineapples are produced in the central and southern regions of Taiwan where a subtropical or tropical climate predominates. In 2013, Taiwan produced approximately 385,000 tonnes of pineapples.
Taiwan can produce pineapples all year round. The main production and export season ranges from February through to September. Taiwan currently exports pineapples to China, Japan, Korea, Canada, Singapore and Hong Kong. In 2015, Taiwan exported approximately 10,000 tonnes of pineapples.
Pineapples in Australia
Australia can produce pineapples all year round, with peak season occurring between November and February. In 2017-18, Australia produced 77,482 tonnes of pineapples, with a production value of $54.2 million. The major pineapple growing regions are: Mareeba and Rollingstone (North Queensland); Yeppoon (Central Queensland); and Bundaberg, Maryborough, Glasshouse Mountains, Beerwah, Wamuran and Elimbah (South East Queensland).
Between 2015-2017, Australia imported around 2,000 tonnes of pineapples (fresh or dried) from Thailand and Sri Lanka. Australia did not import pineapples from the Solomon Islands or the Philippines over this period.
Australia is able to export pineapples to New Zealand, Korea, Japan and Indonesia. Between 2015-2017, Australia exported approximately 30 tonnes of pineapples (fresh or dried) to New Zealand.Further information
The department will share information and answer questions relating to this review at any time during the process. New scientific information will also be considered at any time. Further information on the review can be found at Pineapples from Taiwan or by contacting the department.
Subscribe for updates
If you are interested in receiving further updates on biosecurity risk analyses, we invite you to online subscription service.