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Consultation on type of process for Allium IRA
Letter as sent to stakeholders on 19 April 1999
DG25 File 98/3303
Dear Stakeholder
IMPORT RISK ANALYSIS - ALLIUM SPECIES
In our letter of 17 December 1998 we advised you that the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) will conduct an import risk analysis (IRA) on the importation of Allium species (onions, garlic, shallots, leeks and chives and related plants), including ornamentals, into Australia. The IRA will include a review of existing import protocols and a risk analysis on new sources of imports, from the major production areas worldwide for all end uses (consumption, fresh or dried, processing, bulbs and seeds for planting).
AQIS will conduct the risk analysis using the IRA process outlined in The AQIS Import Risk Analysis Process Handbook, which has been distributed to stakeholders. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with an opportunity to comment on the proposed approach to the risk analysis.
The process
AQIS considers that the risk analysis on the importation of Allium should be undertaken using the routine IRA process outlined in the IRA Handbook.
Timeframe for completing the risk analysis
We estimate that the risk analysis will take approximately twelve months to complete using the routine process. If there are no unanticipated delays, we would expect the draft IRA paper to be released in September 1999. Stakeholders will be kept informed if there are any significant delays or variations to the proposed timeframe.
Request for comments
You are invited to comment on the proposal to conduct the IRA using the routine process. Your comments will be taken into consideration by AQIS in finalising its position on the type of process to be followed. AQIS will accept written submissions on this issue until the close of business on Wednesday 19 May 1999. Responses should be forwarded to:
Risk Analysis Secretariat
Plant Quarantine Policy Branch
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Tel: (02) 6272 5094
Fax: (02) 6272 3307
Email: Plant biosecurity
Subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988, all submissions received with respect to the review will be publicly available and be listed or referred to in papers or reports prepared in the review. If a request for anonymity does not accompany a submission, the respondent will be taken to have consented to the disclosure of his or her identity for the purposes of the Privacy Act. The contents of a submission will not be treated as confidential unless they are marked 'confidential' and they are capable of being classified as such in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.
If you wish to suggest inclusion of an additional stakeholder in our distribution list for this IRA, or if you wish to be removed from the distribution list, please provide details to the Import Risk Analysis Secretariat at the above address. Information on all IRAs that the Plant Quarantine Policy Branch is currently conducting is available on the AQIS Homepage.
We look forward to receiving your response.
Yours sincerely
Brian Stynes
Assistant Director
Plant Quarantine Policy Branch
19 April 1999