09 March 2012
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Draft report for the non regulated analysis of existing policy for fresh mangosteen fruit from Indonesia.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Biosecurity proposes that the importation of fresh mangosteen fruit to Australia from Indonesia be permitted subject to a range of quarantine conditions. The draft report identifies species of spider mites, mealybugs and ants that require quarantine measures.
This draft report is being issued for 60 days consultation. Written comments and submissions are invited by 8 May 2012.
Biosecurity Australia Advice 2010/17, on 4 June 2010, announced the formal commencement of a non regulated risk analysis to consider a proposal to import fresh mangosteen fruit from Indonesia.
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Draft report for the non regulated analysis of existing policy for fresh mangosteen fruit from Indonesia. Stakeholders have until 8 May 2012 to provide written comments on the draft non-regulated risk analysis report.
The draft report identifies species of spider mites, mealybugs and ants as quarantine pests that require measures to manage risks to a very low level in order to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP). While fruit flies are pests of concern, mangosteen fruit are considered non-hosts, and packing undamaged fruit at maturity levels that cannot be infested by fruit flies is proposed.
Regional differences were identified for one quarantine pest, a mealybug species, for Western Australia. The proposed quarantine measures take account of these regional differences.
This draft report recommends a combination of risk management measures and operational systems that will reduce the risk associated with the importation of fresh mangosteen fruit from Indonesia into Australia to achieve Australia’s ALOP, specifically:
- packing of undamaged fruit of a maturity index of 2–3 (fruit with reddish spots or reddish skin) because such fruit does not host fruit flies.
- a systems approach (cleaning of the fruit, including under the calyx, using pressurised air blasting and brushing; fumigation with methyl bromide; and regulatory visual inspection and remedial action) for spider mites, mealybugs and ants.
- a supporting operational system to maintain and verify the phytosanitary status of consignments. DAFF Biosecurity will verify that the proposed phytosanitary measures have been applied.
- pre-export phytosanitary inspection and certification by the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency (IAQA) and on-arrival phytosanitary inspection, remedial action if required, and clearance by DAFF Biosecurity.
The draft report and information about the risk analysis process are available at www.daff.gov.au. Printed copies are available, if required.
Comments on the draft report must be submitted by 8 May 2012 to:
Biosecurity–Plant
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA
Telephone +61 2 6272 3933
Facsimile +61 2 6272 3307
Email Plant Biosecurity
Dr Colin J Grant
First Assistant Secretary
Plant Division
Confidentiality
Stakeholders are advised that, subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988, all submissions received in response to Biosecurity Advices will be publicly available and may be listed or referred to in any papers or reports prepared on the subject matter.
The Commonwealth of Australia reserves the right to reveal the identity of a respondent unless a request for anonymity accompanies the submission. Where a request for anonymity does not accompany the submission the respondent will be taken to have consented to the disclosure of their identity for the purposes of Information Privacy Principle 11 of the Privacy Act 1988.
The contents of the submission will only be treated as confidential if they are marked ‘confidential’ and can be classified as such in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982.