Approved sources of tissue cultures free of media

Tissue-culture plantlets can be imported into Australia either with (in-agar) or without (ex-agar) growing media, and importers should be aware of the differences in the requirements for sourcing of each.

For in-agar tissue culture imports, plants are permitted to be sourced from any offshore supplier (in accordance with the relevant import conditions) without having to obtain specific department approval for the exporting production facility.

Tissue cultures imported as ex-agar plants can only be imported from a facility recognised as an ‘approved source’. Tissue cultured plants imported without media from a facility not recognised as an approved source by the department will be managed as other than tissue culture imports on-arrival in Australia.

What is an approved source of tissue culture free of media (ex-agar)?

An approved source is an offshore facility that has been assessed through a formal audit process and accredited by the department to exporting tissue culture free of media to Australia.

The department maintains its approved source facility list in the table below, and only those specified are approved for export of ex-agar tissue cultures into Australia. Consignments at the border imported as ex-agar will be cross-referenced against this approved source list to determine whether the goods are compliant with import conditions.

Importers must also hold a valid import permit and check the specific import requirements for species they wish to import. Please refer to the department’s import conditions database for a more detailed overview of import requirements – BICON.

What is the approval process?

To become certified as an approved source, facilities must submit a formal written application to the department and be subject to an assessment to ensure appropriate systems, processes, expertise, and oversight are in place to manage the risks in accordance with Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP). The assessment comprises an end-to-end systems review, spanning from the sourcing of mother stock material through to the point of export.

The department has also developed a ‘Requirements for facilities to export tissue culture free of media to Australia' document to provide guidance on the key criteria and requirements against which facilities will be assessed when seeking approved source accreditation. It is highly recommended that applicants read this document thoroughly before progressing a formal application with the department.

Any enquiries regarding accreditation as an ex-agar approved source can be made via email to imports@aff.gov.au or through the export country’s National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) representative.

Prioritisation of applications

Once a formal application has been received, the department will review all information provided to help inform how the request will be prioritised for completion on our work program. This may take into account the following:

• Available departmental resourcing
• Complexity of the application
• Projected trade and broader industry benefit
• Order of applications received
• Consideration against other department work program commitments.

Please note that the above criteria are not exhaustive and may not contribute equally to how new applications are prioritised for assessment. However, based on a balance of factors, the department will seek to notify applicants of when an assessment can be scheduled for completion.

Timeframe for completion of assessment

Once the application assessment commences, the timeframes for completion can vary substantially, contingent on the following:

• the complexity of the request
• quality of information provided in support of the application
• the need for ongoing engagement with the applicant to resolve outstanding issues
• balancing with other high-priority work as required
• level of cooperation from key parties associated with the application e.g., completion of the exporting country NPPO onsite audit.

Taking the above into account, please be aware that the department does not prescribe fixed assessment timeframes for completion of an approved source application.

How long is the facility approved for?

Facilities that become recognised as an approved source for the export of tissue cultures free of media to Australia will initially be certified for a defined period. The applicant will be advised of this validity period by the department in writing following a successful audit outcome.

Please note that accreditation status as an approved source is subject to the facility’s compliance activity, and the department may conduct periodic reviews to help inform decisions in that respect. All tissue culture imports will continue to be monitored and inspected at the Australian border in line with import conditions. Accordingly, major non-compliances may result in suspension of certification status, as can ongoing minor non-compliances that are not suitably rectified in line with departmental expectations.