AUS/445
WTO/SPS
AU Australien
  • 65 - Landwirtschaft
2018-04-19
2018-02-27

Brassicaceous crop seeds for sowing

Draft review of import conditions for brassicaceous crop seeds for sowing into Australia.

Acknowledging the change in risk profile, the department is undertaking an extensive review of the existing import conditions for vegetable seeds, including those for brassicaceous crops. The review identified two fungal pests, associated with the seeds of several brassicaceous crops, as meeting the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) criteria for a quarantine pest. The identified quarantine pests are Colletotrichum higginsianum and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani. The unrestricted risks of these quarantine pests do not achieve the appropriate level of protection (ALOP) for Australia.

This review evaluated the effectiveness of existing risk management measures for the identified quarantine pests, and proposes additional mandatory phytosanitary measures to reduce the risk of their introduction into Australia. Standard requirements for the importation of seeds for sowing apply to all brassicaceous seeds. The department proposes additional phytosanitary measures for seeds of Brassica oleracea, Brassica rapa, Eruca vesicaria and Raphanus sativus. The proposed additional phytosanitary measures require:

-         Mandatory fungicidal treatment (off-shore or on-shore) for seeds of Brassica oleracea, Brassica rapa, Eruca vesicaria and Raphanus sativus as specified in this review; Seed lots treated off-shore to be accompanied by an official government Phytosanitary Certificate endorsed with the additional declaration that the consignment has undergone mandatory treatment in accordance with Australian import conditions.