3 August 2000

PLANT QUARANTINE POLICY MEMORANDUM       2000/14

IMPORT RISK ANALYSIS - FRESH DURIAN FRUIT 
FROM THAILAND

This Plant Quarantine Policy Memorandum (PQPM) provides stakeholders with information regarding the Import Risk Analysis (IRA) on fresh durian fruit from Thailand.

On 17 November 1999, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) wrote to stakeholders advising of the release of the final import risk analysis (IRA) concerning fresh durian fruit from Thailand.  A copy of the final IRA was provided to stakeholders at that time.

In the letter stakeholders were given the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine, who is the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (AFFA), by COB 16 December 1999.  On 22 December 2000 stakeholders were advised that the Secretary had received a number of appeals against the final IRA.

On 24 February 2000, an Import Risk Analysis Appeal Panel (IRAAP), chaired by Professor Malcolm Nairn, Chairman of the Quarantine and Exports Advisory Council (QEAC), upheld a number of appeals on the basis that decisions or judgements taken by AQIS were not fully documented to ensure that stakeholders were fully informed.  The IRAAP recommended that within 90 days AQIS consult further with relevant parties to resolve a number of outstanding issues.

On 18 May 2000, AQIS provided stakeholders with additional information in the form of a supplement to the final IRA and subsequently met with stakeholders in South Johnstone and Darwin on 15 and 16 June 2000 to further discuss their concerns.  

The IRAAP has advised the Secretary of AFFA that the final IRA on the importation of fresh durian from Thailand has now been completed in accordance with the process outlined in the AQIS Import Risk Analysis Process Handbook.  Appellants have been advised of the outcome of the appeals.  

The Acting Executive Director, AQIS has therefore determined that the policy to allow the importation of fresh durian fruit from Thailand will be implemented as from 3 August 2000.

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