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Revised draft import risk analysis report for bananas from the Philippines
DAFF04/2D
Biosecurity Australia has circulated a revised draft import risk analysis report relating to proposed imports of bananas from the Philippines for public comment.
Biosecurity Australia has issued the report as a revised draft because its recommendations differ from those presented in the earlier draft report issued in July 2002. Moko, freckle and mealybugs are still identified as quarantine pests of concern requiring management.
However, after extensive analysis of the scientific evidence surrounding issues such as moko infection and transmission, the Import Risk Analysis Team has recommended that, subject to strict quarantine measures, bananas could be imported from the Philippines.
The revised draft IRA report proposes that bananas from the Philippines may be imported into Australia under strict quarantine conditions. The main recommendations include:
- sourcing bananas from plantations which can demonstrate that the prevalence of moko and freckle diseases is below a level acceptable to Australia;
- sourcing bananas from plants that have been inspected weekly and found free from symptoms of moko and freckle;
- treating all bananas with chlorine in the packing station.
- targeted washing of banana fingers in packing station, and inspection by quality assurance staff to reduce the risk of mealybugs to a very low level; and
- additional practical measures relating to packing materials, packing and transport procedures to reduce the risk of contaminants such as leaf trash, weed seeds and frogs.
These measures are on top of the risk management practices that the Philippines proposed to use to produce, process, pack and transport bananas to Australia. Stakeholders have until 23 April 2004 to comment on this revised draft import risk analysis report.
Any submissions received and any new information that may come to hand will be taken into account in the preparation of the final IRA report.
The revised draft IRA report is available on the Biosecurity Australia web site at www.daff.gov.au/BiosecurityAustralia.
Media contact:
Biosecurity Australia Kylie McKinley (02) 6272 3658