21 December 2016
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the final report for the importation of poppy straw and pellets from Hungary, Portugal and Turkey for processing.
The report recommends that the importation of poppy straw and pellets into Australia from Hungary, Portugal and Turkey for processing meets Australia’s biosecurity requirements subject to risk management measures.
The final report takes into account submissions and comments received from stakeholders on proposed import conditions presented in Biosecurity Advice BA 2016-08 released on 31 March 2016.
Biosecurity Advice 2016/08, of 31 March 2016, presented proposed conditions for the import of poppy straw and pellets from Hungary, Portugal and Turkey for processing.
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the final report. Comments from stakeholders on the proposed conditions were taken into consideration in preparing this report.
The report identifies ten pests associated with poppy straw from Hungary, Portugal and Turkey that require phytosanitary measures. Out of the ten, five are arthropods, three are fungal pathogens, one is a bacterium and one is a virus.
The final report recommends a management system for biosecurity (quarantine) pests in combination with a system of operational procedures to ensure quarantine standards are met. These measures are considered to reduce the risk posed by the 10 pests and achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.
The recommended import conditions include options for either offshore or onshore treatments to allow imports of poppy straw from these countries. Treatments can include hammer milling combined with steam pelletisation, heat treatment or irradiation. Poppy straw from Turkey would require additional mandatory fumigation treatment for Trogoderma granarium (Khapra beetle) and all other countries require mandatory declaration of freedom.
For product processed or treated offshore, the import conditions address plant biosecurity risks combined with verification inspection on arrival prior to release from biosecurity control.
For product processed onshore in Australia, the import conditions address biosecurity risks, under Approved Arrangements, with a combination of treatments (heat treatment and irradiation only) and operational security to address the biosecurity risks.
All consignments of poppy straw need to be bagged in clean, new bags and containerised in clean containers. All bags to have identifying marks or labels, enabling reconciliation with phytosanitary certification.
Phytosanitary certification from a national plant protection organisation is required for freedom from storage pests, signs of pests and disease, and minimal seed content.
All consignments must be inspected on arrival by a biosecurity officer for freedom from contamination of biosecurity concern.
The department may audit the phytosanitary procedures when trade has commenced. The department may suspend a permit for import if conditions are not met, and reserves the right to review and amend the import policy if circumstances change within 12 months.
The final report is available from the department's website. Printed copies of the report are available, if required.
Dr Marion Healy
First Assistant Secretary
Plant Division
Contact: Deb Langford
Telephone: +61 2 6272 5346
Facsimile: +61 2 6272 3307
Email: Plant Stakeholders