BAA 2010-27

28 September 2010

FINALISATION OF THE EXTENSION OF EXISTING POLICY FOR THE IMPORTATION OF FRESH MANGO FRUIT FROM THE PHILIPPINES - INCLUSION OF THE ADDITIONAL GROWING AREA OF DAVAO DEL SUR, MINDANAO ISLAND

This Biosecurity Australia Advice (BAA) notifies stakeholders that the extension of policy for fresh mango fruit from the Philippines to include Davao del Sur, Mindanao Island has been finalised. The importation of fresh mango fruit may be permitted subject to the Quarantine Act 1908 and the application of phytosanitary measures as specified in the report: Extension of existing policy for the importation of fresh mango fruit from the Republic of the Philippines to Australia – Inclusion of the additional growing area of Davao del Sur, Mindanao Island.

Australia has existing policy for the importation of fresh mango fruit from the Republic of the Philippines, which only allows fresh mango fruit to be imported from Guimaras Island. In March 2007 the Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry requested an extension of market access for fresh mango fruit to include the province of Davao del Sur, Mindanao Island, as an additional growing area.

The report: Extension of existing policy for the importation of fresh mango fruit from the Republic of the Philippines to Australia – Inclusion of the additional growing area of Davao del Sur, Mindanao Island was released on 13 August 2010 for a 30 day period to allow stakeholders to raise any significant concerns regarding the policy extension (BAA 2010/24). Biosecurity Australia did not receive any stakeholder comments in this period.

The report in conjunction with the current Philippines policy for Guimaras Island identifies fruit flies, mango pulp and seed weevils, and mealybugs as pests that require quarantine measures to manage risks to a very low level in order to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).

The recommended quarantine measures are a combination of risk management measures and an operational system that will reduce the risk associated with the importation of fresh mango fruit from the Province of Davao del Sur, of Mindanao Island, the Philippines into Australia to a very low level consistent with Australia’s ALOP, specifically:

Area freedom from mango pulp weevil (Sternochetus frigidus Fabricus) and mango seed weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae Fabricus);
Pre-export vapour heat treatment for the management of fruit flies (Bactrocera cucurbitae Colquillett, Bactrocera occipitalis (Bezzi) and Bactrocera philippinensis Drew & Hancock);
Pre-export phytosanitary certification and on-arrival inspection for mealybugs of quarantine concern Plannococcus lilacinus (Cockerell, 1905); Rastrococcus invadens Williams, 1986; and Rastrococcus spinosus (Robinson, 1918); and
Operational systems to maintain and verify phytosanitary status, including the application of recommendations outlined in the report: Improving mango industry sustainability and small holder income generation in the Philippines through expansion of area freedom certification against mango pulp and seed weevils (available in Appendix A of the report).

The conclusions of this report are based on the current conditions for Guimaras Island, while also taking into account the Philippines’ existing commercial production practices. The existing commercial production practices, including fruit bagging are a requirement for export to Australia.

The policy will be taken into account by decision makers when considering import permit applications for fresh mango fruit from Davao del Sur, Mindanao Island, the Philippines in accordance with the Quarantine Act 1908 and Quarantine Proclamation 1998 as amended.

Prior to the commencement of trade, Biosecurity Services Group (BSG) will visit mango production areas of Davao del Sur, Mindanao Island, the Philippines to audit the operational procedures, treatment facilities and area freedom protocols.

Lois Ransom
Chief Executive (A/g)

Contact:   Dr Vanessa Findlay
Telephone: +61 2 6272 3933
Facsimile:   +61 2 6272 3307
Email:   plant@aff.gov.au