Provisional final import risk analysis report for fresh decrowned pineapple fruit from Malaysia

​​7 June 2012

This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Provisional final import risk analysis report for the importation of fresh decrowned pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) fruit from Malaysia.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Biosecurity recommends that the import of fresh pineapple fruit to Australia from Malaysia be permitted subject to a range of quarantine conditions. The report identifies four species of mealybugs that require quarantine measures.

This provisional final report takes into account submissions and comments by stakeholders on a draft report released in October 2011. The report is open for appeal to the independent Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel (IRAAP) until 7 July 2012.

Biosecurity Australia Advice 2010/18, on 9 June 2010, announced the formal commencement of an import risk analysis (IRA) to consider a proposal to import fresh pineapple fruit from Malaysia. Biosecurity Australia Advice 2011/17, on 19 October 2011, announced the release of the draft IRA report for a 60 day consultation period.

This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Provisional final import risk analysis report for the importation of fresh decrowned pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) fruit from Malaysia. Comments from stakeholders on the draft IRA report were taken into account in preparing the provisional final IRA report.

The provisional final IRA report identifies four species of mealybugs 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).

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 provisional final IRA report recommends a combination of risk management measures and operational systems that will reduce the risk associated with the importation of fresh decrowned pineapple fruit from Malaysia into Australia to achieve Australia’s ALOP, specifically:

  • pre-shipment or on-arrival methyl bromide fumigation or an alternative post harvest treatment as approved by DAFF Biosecurity for mealybugs
  • an operational system for the maintenance and verification of the phytosanitary status of pineapple fruit, including: 
    • registration of export plantations
    • registration of packing houses and auditing of procedures 
    • registration of fumigators/ treatment facilities and auditing of procedures
    • packaging and labelling requirements 
    • specific conditions for storage and transport 
    • pre-export phytosanitary inspection and certification by the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia
    • on-arrival phytosanitary inspection, remedial action when required, and clearance by DAFF Biosecurity.

This IRA is being completed under the regulated process according to the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2011. The release of this provisional final IRA report marks the end of the regulated timeframe for the IRA. The provisional final IRA report, information about the risk analysis process and frequently asked questions and answers. Printed copies are available, if required.

Stakeholders may lodge an appeal in writing to the IRAAP—a body independent of DAFF Biosecurity. The panel has advised that any appeals must be received by 7 July 2012. The appeal must outline a claim or claims based on the ground that there was a significant deviation from the regulated IRA process that adversely affected the interests of a stakeholder. Each claim must be supported by a statement of reasons.

The panel has 45 days to consider any appeals and report its findings to Australia’s Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine and appellants. If there is no appeal, or once any appeals are resolved, the process is complete and policy recommendations will be submitted to the Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine for determination.

Written appeals (by email or post) must be addressed to the IRAAP secretariat, as follows:

Secretariat
Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel
Government Division
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: IRA​AP

Further details on the appeal process can be found in the Impor​t Risk Analysis Handbook 2011 and from the IRAAP secretariat.