31 October 2014
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Provisional final import risk analysis report for the importation of fresh salacca fruit from Indonesia.
The provisional final report recommends that salacca produced under Indonesia’s existing commercial export production practices together with a system of operational procedures, meets Australia’s biosecurity requirements.
The provisional final report takes into account submissions and comments by stakeholders on a draft report released in February 2014. The provisional final report is open for appeal to the independent Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel (IRAAP) until 29 November 2014.
Biosecurity Advice 2012/28, on 21 December 2012, announced the formal commencement of an import risk analysis (IRA) to consider a proposal to import fresh salacca fruit from Indonesia. Biosecurity Advice 2014/02, on 6 February 2014, announced the release of the draft IRA report for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period.
This Biosecurity Advise notifies stakeholders of the release of the Provisional final import risk analysis report for fresh salacca fruit from Indonesia. Comments from stakeholders on the draft IRA report were taken into consideration in preparing the provisional final report.
The provisional final report identifies four pests of potential biosecurity concern to Australia associated with the trade of fresh salacca fruit from Indonesia. These are mealybugs from three genera (Dysmicoccus sp., Planococcus sp., Pseudococcus sp.) and one fungus (Marasmius palmivorus).
Assessments were conducted and the overall risk for these pests does not exceed the level of biosecurity risk that is acceptable to Australia.
The provisional final report recommends Indonesia’s existing commercial export production practices, combined with a system of operational procedures will address the risk of exotic pests or diseases entering Australia on imported fresh salacca fruit.
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 are available on the department’s website. Printed copies of the report are available, if required.
Stakeholders may lodge an appeal in writing to the IRAAP—a body independent of the Department of Agriculture. Any appeals must be received by 29 November 2014. The appeal must outline a claim or claims 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 the final IRA report will be provided to the Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine to determine a quarantine policy for the importation of fresh salacca fruit from Indonesia.
Written appeals (by email or post) must be addressed to the IRAPP secretariat, as follows
Secretariat
Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel
Corporate Policy Division
Department of Agriculture
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: IRAAP
Further details on the appeals process can be found in the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2011 and from the IRAAP secretariat.
Louise van Meurs
A/g First Assistant Secretary
Plant Division
Contact: David Heinrich
Telephone: +61 2 6272 3220
Facsimile: +61 2 6272 3307