25 July 2000

PLANT QUARANTINE POLICY MEMORANDUM       2000/13

IMPORT RISK ANALYSIS - APPLES FROM NEW ZEALAND

This Plant Quarantine Policy Memorandum (PQPM) advises stakeholders of the current status of the Import Risk Analysis (IRA) for apples from New Zealand. 

In PQPM 2000/02 of 13 March, stakeholders were advised that the draft IRA paper for apples from New Zealand would be released in late May 2000.  Stakeholders were subsequently advised of further delays to the release date, via the AQIS web page http://www.aqis.gov.au/docs/plpolicy/plhome1.htm, as foreshadowed in PQPM 2000/02.

Since PQPM 2000/02 was circulated, the enclosed document, entitled “Questions and Answers about AQIS’s IRA on New Zealand apples” appeared in the April edition of Pome Fruit Australia.  In late May AQIS informally sought the views of 15 international fire blight experts on key elements of the IRA.  While AQIS is continuing to consult with these experts, their preliminary view supports that the IRA is based on the best available scientific information.

Technical work on the IRA was substantially complete at the end of June, and AQIS is now ensuring that the draft IRA paper is as comprehensive and clearly explained as is possible.  

AQIS anticipates that the draft IRA paper will be released in August for a 60 day public comment period, during which time AQIS plans to arrange a series of meetings with key stakeholder groups.

If you wish to suggest inclusion of an additional stakeholder in our distribution list for this IRA, or if you wish to be removed from the distribution list, please provide details to the Import Risk Analysis Secretariat whose details appear below.

Information on all IRAs being conducted by the Plant Quarantine Policy Branch is available on the AQIS web page at http://www.aqis.gov.au/docs/plpolicy/plhome1.htm

Brian Stynes
Assistant Director
Plant Quarantine Policy Branch

	Contact:		Import Risk Analysis Secretariat
	Telephone no: 	02 6272 5094
	Facsimile no: 	02 6272 3307
	E-mail:  		plantquar@aqis.gov.au