13 December 2019
This Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the release of the Final pest risk analysis for brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys).
The final report recommends risk management measures to manage the biosecurity risk posed by brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) on identified at-risk goods imported from countries with established BMSB populations, to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia.
The final report takes into account comments received from stakeholders on the draft report, which was released on 29 August 2017, and new information on the changing risk of BMSB.
The department initiated this pest-specific risk analysis following the introduction of emergency measures that were implemented in response to increased detections of BMSB at the Australian border and changes in the international status of this pest. The introduction of emergency measures was advised in Biosecurity Advice Notice 2015-01 on 30 January 2015 and revisions to the measures have occurred, where required, for each subsequent BMSB season. Further information on these measures is on the department’s website.
The draft report was released for public consultation on 29 August 2017 (Biosecurity Advice 2017/18). Comments from stakeholders on the draft report were taken into consideration in preparing the final report.
Brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive pest that has spread from its native range in East Asia to form established populations in North America and Europe. Large numbers of BMSB have arrived at the Australian border on goods imported from North America since 2014 and from Europe since 2017. At-risk goods, imported from a range of countries where BMSB populations are known or suspected to occur, have been subject to a range of risk management measures to manage the risk of the pest.
The final report recommends that the importation of at-risk goods into Australia from all countries with established BMSB populations be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements.
It also recommends a range of risk management measures, combined with operational systems, to reduce the biosecurity risks posed by BMSB on at-risk goods imported into Australia so as to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia. Depending on the type of good and its origin, one or more of the following risk management measures are to be applied:
- enhanced surveillance
- sulfuryl fluoride fumigation
- methyl bromide fumigation
- heat treatment
- approved safeguarding arrangements.
The recommended risk management measures are consistent with the measures currently in place to manage the risk of BMSB, and the department considers that these measures are adequate to mitigate the risk posed by BMSB on imported at-risk goods from countries where BMSB populations are established.
The department will continue to monitor the international status of BMSB and the risk profiles of imported goods, and if required, review the import requirements where appropriate.
The final report, stakeholder comments and information about the risk analysis process are available from the department’s website. Printed copies of the report are available on request.
The department invites stakeholders interested in receiving information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses to subscribe via the department’s 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.
Dr Marion Healy
First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant Division
Telephone: 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1)
Email: Imports