12 January 2017
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Final report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam.
The final report recommends that the import of dragon fruit into Australia from Vietnam meets Australia’s biosecurity requirements subject to risk management measures.
The final report takes into account submissions received from stakeholders on the draft report released on 13 September 2016.
Biosecurity Advice 2016/13, of 20 April 2016, announced the commencement of a non-regulated analysis of existing policy to consider a proposal to import dragon fruit from Vietnam, into Australia. Biosecurity Advice 2016/31, of 13 September 2016, announced the release of the draft report for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period.
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Final report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for dragon fruit from Vietnam. Stakeholders’ submissions on the draft report were taken into consideration in preparing the final report.
The final report identifies seven quarantine pests associated with dragon fruit from Vietnam (three fruit flies and four mealybugs) that require risk management measures.
The recommended risk management measures take account of regional differences within Australia. One pest requiring risk management, the Pacific mealybug, has been identified as a regional quarantine pest for Western Australia.
The final report recommends a range of risk management measures, combined with operational systems to reduce the risks posed by the seven quarantine pests to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia. These measures are consistent with Australia’s existing policy and include:
- area freedom or vapour heat treatment for fruit flies
- consignment freedom verified by visual inspection and, if detected, remedial action for mealybugs.
A number of changes to the risk analysis report were made following consideration of stakeholder comments on the draft report and subsequent review of the literature.
The final report and information about the risk analysis process are available from the department's website.
Printed copies of the report are available, upon request.
Lois Ransom
A/g First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division
Contact: Deb Langford
Telephone: +61 2 6272 5094
Email: Plant Stake Holders