AUS/439
WTO/SPS
AU Australie
  • 65 - Agriculture
2018-02-19
2017-12-11

Cucurbitaceous crop seeds for sowing

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

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources initiated this review in response to recent incursions of some seed-borne pathogens in Australia, such as Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV). The review has identified several seed-borne pathogens of cucurbitaceous crops which meet the International Plant Protection Convention criteria for a quarantine pest. The identified quarantine pests, in addition to CGMMV, include Kyuri green mottle mosaic virus (KGMMV), Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV), Phomopsis cucurbitae and Zucchini green mottle mosaic virus (ZGMMV).

This review evaluates the effectiveness of existing risk management measures for identified biosecurity risks and proposes additional mandatory phytosanitary measures to reduce the risk of introduction of the identified quarantine pests. Standard requirements for the importation of seed for sowing apply to cucurbitaceous seeds from all sources. The department proposes additional phytosanitary measures for Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo, Lagenaria siceraria and Trichosanthes cucumerina and any hybrid of these species.

The proposed additional phytosanitary measures include:

-         Mandatory testing or treatment (off-shore or on-shore) for seeds of Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo, Lagenaria siceraria and Trichosanthes cucumerina and any hybrid of these species as specified in this review; Seed lots tested or treated off-shore be accompanied by an official government Phytosanitary Certificate endorsed with the additional declaration that the consignment has undergone mandatory treatment or testing in accordance with Australian import conditions.