Notice - Notification of WTO Members: Final report for the Pest Risk Analysis for Cut Flower and Foliage Imports - Part 1
| WTO code |
G/SPS/N/AUS/435/Add.5 |
| Date notice |
20/06/2019 |
| Notice type |
Regular |
| Title |
Final report for the Pest Risk Analysis for Cut Flower and Foliage Imports - Part 1 |
| Summary |
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture (the department) has completed the risk analysis for Cut Flower and Foliage Imports - Part 1. The final report recommends a combination of risk management measures and a system of operational procedures that will reduce the risk associated with the importation of cut flowers and foliage to a level that achieves Australia's appropriate level of protection.
The final report recommends that the importation of cut flowers and foliage into Australia be permitted, subject to the application of phytosanitary measures. Phytosanitary measures are required for the management of 47 mite species, 21 aphid species and 84 thrips species identified as quarantine pests and/or regulated articles.
The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the department's website on 14 November 2018 (G/SPS/N/AUS/435/Add.2). The consultation period was extended until 15 March 2019 (G/SPS/N/AUS/435/Add.3).
The final Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) supports the changes to Australia's import conditions introduced in March 2018 (see SPS notifications G/SPS/N/AUS/435 and G/SPS/N/AUS/435/Add.1). The revised conditions require that quarantine risks are appropriately reduced offshore before shipments are sent to Australia using an NPPO-approved systems approach, methyl bromide fumigation or an alternative NPPO-approved pre-shipment treatment. Under the changes, remedial fumigation, export or destruction can be applied onshore to address any live quarantine pests found.
The final PRA also supports further steps being taken by the department to address very high levels of non-compliance. From 1 September 2019, countries that are found to have ongoing very high levels of non-compliance using a systems approach and with high trade volumes in the period leading up to July 2019 will be required to use alternative pre-export pest management options to send cut flowers and foliage to Australia. Alternatively, importers may apply for import permits from 1 July 2019 to use the systems approach from those countries from 1 September 2019.
If systems are introduced by NPPOs in exporting countries that result in decreased pest interceptions, the NPPO may apply to have the system reinstated. Submissions will require a formal evaluation, including a possible audit, and the outcome will be decided by the department.
The department is notifying the countries and their importers likely to be affected by the 1 September 2019 changes individually.
|
| Product |
Cut Flower |
| Country |
Australia |
File attach:
NAUS435A5.pdf
Orther Notice: