Biosecurity Australia has recommended the importation of Chinese table grapes be allowed, subject to a range of quarantine conditions, in a provisional final import risk analysis (IRA), released on Thursday.
The provisional IRA identifies 22 quarantine pests, and two sanitary pests, that require management to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.
Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) CEO Jeff Scott told Fruitnet.com the organisation has been in consultation with Biosecurity Australia.
“We wanted more clarity and greater control measures for some of the pests and Biosecurity Australia have taken that into consideration,” he said of submissions made by the ATGA on a draft report issued in February of this year.
The IRA is now open for appeals until 20 December from groups or individuals who have already made submissions.
If the protocols are accepted and put into action, Chinese grapes could be in Australia by the start of next season, which will be in August, said Mr Scott.
Chinese grapes were not expected to pose a significant threat to grape growers in Australia, he added.
“If China does export they will be counter-seasonal so they will not be in direct competition with Australian grapes. There may be some lag between the two seasons, but we expect it to be minimal.
“Chile has direct access to Australia but no one has ever taken the risk to export here because of the protocols.”
