Final report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh dates from the Middle East and North Africa region

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has completed this risk analysis for loose, fresh date fruit (greater than 30% moisture content) (Phoenix dactylifera) from Algeria, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, the State of Kuwait, the Lebanese Republic, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian territories, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen into Australia. The final report recommends a combination of risk management measures and a system of operational procedures that will reduce the risks associated with the importation of fresh date fruit from countries and territories in the Middle East and North Africa region to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection.The final report recommends that the importation of fresh date fruit into Australia from the Middle East and North Africa region meets Australian biosecurity requirements subject to a range of risk management measures, including measures for spider mites (three species), fruit flies (three species) and mealybugs (two species).The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website on 31 July 2018 for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period, SPS notification G/SPS/N/AUS/454.The completed report is available in English on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/ba2019-P02