Final pest risk analysis for 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' associated with apiaceous crops

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has completed a final pest risk analysis for 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' associated with apiaceous crops. This pest risk analysis was initiated in response to the introduction of emergency measures against 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (‘Ca. L. solanacearum') infecting apiaceous crops, including carrot (Daucus carota) and celery/celeriac (Apium graveolens
The draft pest risk analysis was released on 11 December 2015 for a 45 day stakeholder consultation period and was published as a SPS notification with reference number G/SPS/N/AUS/377.
The recommended import conditions for apiaceous crops (carrot, celery/celeriac, chervil, fennel, parsley and parsnip) are summarised below:
 - Seeds for sowing: mandatory off-shore or on-shore PCR testing or hot water treatment (50 °C for 20 minutes); AND if the testing or treatment is conducted off-shore, a Phytosanitary Certificate with the additional declaration that the mandatory treatment or testing has been conducted in accordance with Australia's requirements;
 - Tissue cultures off-shore option: mandatory off-shore PCR testing; AND a Phytosanitary Certificate with the additional declaration that the testing has been conducted in accordance with Australia's requirements;
 - Tissue cultures on-shore option: mandatory growth in a closed government post-entry quarantine (PEQ) facility for disease screening; AND mandatory on-shore PCR testing for freedom from ‘Ca L. solanacearum'.