Final review of import conditions for cucurbitaceous vegetable seeds for sowing

Australia is undertaking a series of seed reviews of the import conditions for four key vegetable families: Apiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Brassicaceae and Solanaceae as a result of changes in risks associated with the international movement of these seeds. This review of cucurbitaceous vegetable seeds for sowing is the second of the series to be finalised.This review of cucurbitaceous vegetable seeds for sowing identified eight quarantine pests (one fungus and seven viruses) associated with the seeds of several cucurbitaceous vegetables.The identified quarantine pests are Bitter gourd yellow mosaic virus (BgYMV), Cucumber fruit mottle mosaic virus (CFMMV), Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), Diaporthe cucurbitae (formerly PhomopsiscucurbitaeKyuri green mottle mosaic virus (KGMMV), Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV), Tomato black ring virus (TBRV) and Zucchini green mottle mosaic virus (ZGMMV).The unrestricted risks of these quarantine pests do not achieve the appropriate level of protection (ALOP) for Australia. Consequently, additional pest risk management measures are required to manage the risks posed by the identified pests to achieve the ALOP for Australia.In addition to Australia's standard seeds for sowing import conditions, four pest risk management options are recommended for seeds of Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo, Lagenaria siceraria, Momordica charantia, Trichosanthes cucumerina and any hybrid of these species:·        Option 1. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test—an option that is applicable to all eight identified quarantine pests·        Option 2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test—an option that is applicable to CGMMV, KGMMV, MNSV and ZGMMV·        Option 3. Broad spectrum fungicidal treatment—an option that is applicable to Diaporthe cucurbitae.·        Option 4. Heat treatment—an option that is applicable to MNSVIf the required treatment or testing is undertaken off-shore, phytosanitary certification is required with the additional declaration that the testing or treatment has been conducted in accordance with Australia's requirements.Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo, Lagenaria siceraria, Momordica charantia and Trichosanthes cucumerina seeds for sprouting or micro-greens production for human consumption are exempt from these additional measures if imported directly for germination at a production facility operated under an Approved Arrangement. This is to mitigate risks from the diversion of seeds to other end-uses.Seeds of most cucurbitaceous vegetable species reviewed were not found to be hosts of quarantine pests for Australia and they will continue to be subject only to the Australia's standard seeds for sowing import conditions.The draft report was published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment's website on 6 December 2017 (G/SPS/N/AUS/439). Comments raised by stakeholders were taken into consideration in the preparation of the final report.The key changes made in the final report are:·        the inclusion of three additional quarantine pests (BgYMV, CFMMV and TBRV) associated with cucurbitaceous vegetable seeds·        the inclusion of other pest risk management options (heat treatment for MNSV and PCR testing for Diaporthe cucurbitae) that are suitable for both organic and non-organic seeds sectors.The completed final report is available in English on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment's website at: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/plant/cucurbitaceous-crop-seeds.The recommendations of the final report will be introduced as a phased approach into Australia's import conditions. The first phase will commence on 12 June 2020 and the revised conditions are available on Australia's Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system:https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/BiconWeb4.0/ViewElement/Element/Alert?elementPk=1338288.The implementation of further phases is dependent on risk management options being operationally available, which will be advised via further notifications.