The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has released a statement proposing that Californian (CA) table grapes be granted access into Western Australia (WA).
DAFF has established a 30-day consultation period during which it has invited written submissions from stakeholders on the draft import protocol.
An analysis of existing policy and the possibility of extending market access for CA grapes into WA was first formally announced by Biosecurity Australia on 29 March 2012.
Regional importers had since been hopeful that the restrictions would be lifted in time for the 2013 season.
Under the present policy for imports of CA grapes to other Australian states and territories, biosecurity measures are used to ensure the risk of 36 pests is kept extremely low.
In addition to quarantine pests included in the current CA grape import protocol for Australia, 14 additional pests of potential quarantine concern to WA have been identified of which the harlequin ladybird does not achieve what DAFF considers Australia’s appropriate level of protection.
DAFF has subsequently proposed continuing current policy measures and adding the harlequin ladybird to the list of species to be managed by visual inspection in WA and, should it be detected, for appropriate remedial action to be taken.
