31 July 2018
This Biosecurity Advice announces the formal commencement of a review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit from India.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) expects to release the draft report for public consultation in mid-2019.
The commencement of this risk analysis is in response to a market access request for fresh pomegranate fruit from India to Australia. India has also requested market access for pomegranate arils, which the department will assess separately.
A preliminary assessment of the pests associated with fresh pomegranate fruit from India has identified that the potential pests of biosecurity concern are the same, or of the same pest groups, as those that have been assessed previously by the department and for which risk management measures exist. The pests identified include a fruit borer butterfly, fruit flies, mites, mealybugs, moths, a bacterium and a fungus.
Given the similarity of pests of concern, and that there are appropriate risk management measures already established for these pests or pest groups, the risk analysis for pomegranate fruit from India is being progressed as a review of biosecurity import requirements (a non-regulated risk analysis), consistent with the Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis Guidelines 2016.
Further information on this risk analysis can be found in the Announcement Information Paper.
The department expects to release a draft report for public consultation in mid-2019. The department will consider all stakeholder comments received during the consultation period in preparing the final report.
Stakeholders interested in receiving information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses are invited to subscribe via the department’s new online subscription service. By subscribing to Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant, you will receive Biosecurity Advices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy, including this risk analysis.
Marion Healy
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division
Telephone: 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1)
Email: Imports