Bananas from the Philippines

Trading partners can request that Australia consider alternative measures for various reasons. For example, if new treatments or other measures are identified that could manage a biosecurity risk.

As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)*, Australia must consider trading partners’ requests for imports.

Australia is also entitled to maintain a level of protection we consider appropriate to protect life or health within our territory. This is called the appropriate level of protection (ALOP).

An assessment of alternative measures is a rigorous, technical, science-based process conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Biosecurity Act 2015 and international standards.

We remain committed to upholding Australia’s biosecurity status and protecting domestic industries from pest and disease threats.

We will only agree to alternative measures if our assessment concludes the measures effectively manage the biosecurity risks associated with importing bananas from the Philippines to achieve Australia’s ALOP.

*Australia has been a WTO member since 1995. The WTO is an international organisation that deals with global trade rules between countries. Its main function is to ensure that trade between countries flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. By being a member of the WTO, Australia gets fair market access to other countries, which is of great benefit to Australia, as our economy relies heavily on exports.

From 17 September 2025, we will hold virtual and in-person information sessions for stakeholders to explain the assessment process, how we will engage you and answer any of your questions. For more information and to register, visit our Humanitix event page.

In the first half of 2026 (timing subject to change), we will release an issues paper that outlines the assessment process in more detail. It will also provide background information on the Philippines’ requests, what will be considered during the assessment and how and when stakeholders will be engaged.

Once the initial assessment is complete, we will release a draft report for a minimum 60-calendar day public consultation period.

We will then release a final report which will take into consideration all comments received during consultation on the draft report.

We remain committed to upholding Australia’s biosecurity status and protecting our domestic industries and environment from pest and disease threats.

We will only agree to alternative measures if our assessment concludes that the measures effectively manage the biosecurity risks associated with importing bananas from the Philippines to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).

Australia is required to apply ALOP under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) when conducting risk assessments.

Australia’s ALOP is expressed as providing a high level of protection for plant, animal and human life and health aimed at reducing risk to a very low level, but not to zero.

If Australia was to take a zero-risk approach to biosecurity this would mean we would have no tourists, no international travel and no imports.

Australia accepts imports only when the department is confident the risks of pests and diseases can be managed to achieve Australia’s ALOP.

We acknowledge that there is a strong supply of domestically grown horticultural produce and that imports of agricultural goods can directly compete with Australian agricultural goods.

However, the Biosecurity Act 2015 and Australia’s international trade obligations mean that assessments of biosecurity risks that may be associated with a commodity cannot take into account the potential economic impact of market competition, or the net national benefit resulting from imports.

When carrying out a pest risk assessment, we examine the potential economic impact of pests and diseases if they were to enter, establish and spread in Australia, as a result of importing a product.

Where possible, Australia (as a WTO member) must develop import conditions that address any associated risks, are scientifically justified and do not unreasonably restrict trade.

Where the risk of the imports cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, we will not permit those imports.

Trading partners use the same principles when assessing Australian market access requests.

In 2018, the Philippines formally requested Australia consider alternative measures for 3 main pathogens of concern (Moko, black Sigatoka and banana freckle).

In March 2025, the Philippines requested Australia consider access for an additional cultivar (‘GCTCV-218 – also known as ‘Formosana’) and an additional export province (Davao de Oro in the Davao Region or Region 11).

We completed a preliminary review of the Philippines’ requests to inform the assessment.

We have now allocated the resources to progress the assessment.

We are notifying stakeholders now ahead of conducting the initial assessment and consulting with stakeholders on a draft report. 

In 2018, the Philippines formally requested Australia consider measures alternative to those recommended in the 2008 Philippine bananas import risk analysis to manage Moko, black Sigatoka and banana freckle.

• In response to this, we are conducting a scientific assessment for these 3 pathogens.
• As part of the process, we will investigate whether there have been any changes to the biosecurity risk posed by the importation of Cavendish bananas from the Philippines since the risk analysis was completed in 2008.
• This includes consideration of any new scientific information and of the commercial production practices that may affect the biosecurity risk, and whether any new biosecurity risks have emerged.

In March 2025, the Philippines requested Australia consider an additional Cavendish cultivar (‘GCTCV-218’ or ‘Formosana’) and an additional export province (Davao de Oro in the Davao Region or Region 11) that were not assessed in the 2008 import risk analysis. We will consider this request at the same time as the assessment of alternative measures.

• The 2008 Philippine banana import risk analysis was unusual in that the scope was restricted to specific provinces. Generally, our risk analyses cover the whole exporting country. The same is true for the assessed commodity: generally we assess the entire species not individual cultivars.
• It is not unreasonable for the Philippines’ to request this additional cultivar and additional export province. It is also not out of keeping with our standard import risk analysis approach.
• We will determine whether the new cultivar and export province potentially pose any different biosecurity risks to those identified in the 2008 Philippine bananas import risk analysis and the current assessment.
• We will make sure that any such risks are considered and managed appropriately, if needed.
   

We will only agree to alternative measures if our assessment concludes the measures effectively manage the biosecurity risks associated with importing bananas from the Philippines to achieve Australia’s ALOP.

Once the assessment of alternative measures is complete and provided the biosecurity risk can be effectively managed to achieve Australia’s ALOP, there are several further steps required before trade could commence. This includes verifying that the Philippines can meet the import requirements.

There would then be a number of further steps required before import conditions are published and trade could commence.

Due to the complexity of this assessment, the full process could take several years.

If imports commence, the feasibility of trade ultimately depends on Australian consumers.

Consumers can make informed decisions about what they buy based on quality, price and country of origin specified in labelling laws.

For more information, please contact us at: plantstakeholders@aff.gov.au.