Release of the draft report for the Pest Risk Analysis for Cut Flower and Foliage Imports - Part 2

The draft report of the Pest Risk Analysis (Part 2) and the confirmed measures to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection for the import of fresh cut flowers and foliage from all countries was released on 22 May 2020.This report is a continuation of the Final report for the Pest Risk Analysis for Cut Flower and Foliage Imports - Part 1 which was released on 21 June 2019 (see SPS notifications G/SPS/N/AUS/435/Add.5). The Pest Risk Analysis (Part 2) furthers the assessment of all other arthropod pests associated with imported cut flowers and foliage which were not covered in Part 1 (mites, aphids and thrips). Part 2 assesses the risk associated with the beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera), flies (Insecta: Diptera), bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera (other than aphids)), wasps, bees and ants (Insecta: Hymenoptera) and moths and butterflies (Insecta: Lepidoptera).New biosecurity import conditions for imported fresh cut flowers and foliage were implemented on 1 March 2018 (see SPS notifications G/SPS/N/AUS/435 and G/SPS/N/AUS/435/Add.1). The draft report confirms that these changes are necessary to protect Australia's plant producers and the natural environment from exotic pests.The draft report includes:Summary; Introduction; Commercial trade and production; Cut flower and foliage pathway; Previous import policies and principles; Changing patterns of activity and risk; Pest risk assessment; Pest risk management; Conclusion.
Notification of the release of the draft report is provided on the department's website, Pest Risk Analysis for Cut Flower and Foliage Imports ­– Part 2.