On 4 August 2020, Australia issued a SPS notification (G/SPS/N/AUS/502) informing trading partners of its intention to implement emergency measures to safeguard Australia against the entry, establishment and spread of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium).
The urgent actions are being implemented in 6 phases. Phases 1 to 5 address the risk of khapra beetle entering on imported plants and plant products. Phase 6 addresses the risk of khapra beetle entering as a hitchhiker pest in sea containers.
Revised implementation schedule
A revised implementation schedule is below.
Phase 1: Ban on high-risk plant products within unaccompanied personal effects and low value freight - Commenced 3 September 2020 (See G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.1)
Phase 2: Ban on high-risk plant products within accompanied baggage or via international travellers or mail articles - Commenced 15 October 2020. (See G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.2)
Phase 3: Revised phytosanitary certification and new offshore treatment requirements for high-risk plant products via all commercial pathways - Expected to commence in August 2021
Phase 4: Revised phytosanitary certification and new offshore treatment requirements for other risk plant products - Progression of this work is on hold
Phase 5: Phytosanitary certification requirements for all seeds for sowing - Progression of this work is on hold
Phase 6A: New measures for target risk sea containers
Measures for target risk containers packed with high-risk plant products - Commenced 12 April 2021 (See: G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.9)
Measures for target risk containers that are packed with other products and will be unpacked in a rural grain growing area of Australia - Will commence on 12 July 2021
Phase 6B: New measures for high-risk sea containers - Expected to commence in late 2021
Alternative treatment options for Phase 3
We recognise that heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation may not be feasible for some goods imported under Phase 3. As such, we are considering alternative treatment options for goods impacted by Phase 3. Additional information on any alternatives identified will be published on our website (awe.gov.au/khapra-urgent-actions) closer to implementation.
Implementation of Phase 6A
We recognise that some of the treatment requirements implemented under Phase 6A may be new to industry. As such, where a treatment certificate is provided with the sea container but does not meet all our requirements as detailed on our website, we will work with treatment providers over the next 8 weeks to improve their understanding of these requirements and where appropriate, facilitate the import of goods within impacted containers.
For more information on the urgent actions visit: gov.au/khapra-containers gov.au/khapra-urgentactionsAddenda to this SPS notification will be published to notify the measures and exact implementation dates for other phases. Complete import conditions and details regarding the measures will be outlined in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) prior to the implementation date.
This addendum concerns: Other: Additional information on the implementation of emergency measures.
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