Final policy review: Alternative risk management measures to import Lilium spp cut flowers from Taiwan

1.3Existing policy

1.3.1Current import policy for Lilium spp. bulbs as nursery stock

Standard bulb import conditions for permitted Lilium species bulbs, as nursery stock for potted colour or cut flower production, are subject to:

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  an import permit
  
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  phytosanitary certification for freedom from black wart and potato cyst nematode (and freedom from rust and smut fungi if from the Netherlands)
  
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  inspection prior to mandatory methyl bromide fumigation or hot water immersion for invertebrate pests
  
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  growth in open quarantine (field planting or tunnel house) at a QAP, and
  
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  crop inspections following a period of sufficient growth in quarantine to allow for development of any symptoms of pathogens (one inspection for bulbs imported from the Netherlands and certified under Bloembollenkeuringsdienst (BKD) scheme; two inspections for non-certified non-BKD bulbs), prior to release as cut flowers or potted colour.
  

Contaminated consignments (soil, plant debris, disease or quarantinable matter) are subject to cleaning, nematicide treatment, destruction, or re-export (determined by the risk associated with the contaminating material).

Table 1.1 Specific biosecurity measures for Lilium spp. bulbs as nursery stock (potted colour or cut flower production)

Reference number	Condition title
Condition  C14922 (Netherlands) Condition C14921 (other countries)	Lists of permitted Lilium spp. and hybrids as nursery stock including American, Asiatic, Candidum, Dauricum, Martagon, Oriental and Trumpet hybrids.
Condition  C7416	BKD Scheme (the Netherlands)- requirements for import and growth in QAP for approved species and hybrids exported and certified under the scheme
Condition  C7418	Conditions for non-certified bulbs (i.e. non-BKD generated bulbs).

1.3.2Past policies for lily cut flowers

The prohibition was extended in 1982 to other species able to propagate by axil bulbils

However, the importation of all Lilium species as cut flowers was stopped in 1983 due to operational difficulties in identifying species/hybrids at inspection and the delays this was causing at the border (PQS 1983)².

1.3.3Current import policy for cut flowers

Permitted cut flower species other than Lilium spp. are subject to mandatory devitalisation for propagable species and mandatory methyl bromide fumigation.

Some cut flowers/foliage consignments can be exempt from mandatory fumigation on arrival through one of the following three options:

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  Overseas Accreditation Schemes for flower suppliers (currently operating in Singapore and Malaysia)
  
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  Offshore fumigation monitored by National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) in the country of origin (currently, only China has arrangements in place with the department)
  
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  Fumigation exemptions based on importer and supplier compliance history. The Department of Agriculture’s system identifies all cut flower pathways that consistently comply with the department’s requirement for freedom from live pests and other biosecurity risk materials. This approach is consistent with department’s plan for managing biosecurity compliance and its enforcement under the business reform program for biosecurity business areas (DAFF 2012a). Importers are encouraged to implement measures to manage pest issues offshore as the import pathway can be exempted from mandatory fumigation once a history of compliant imports has been established. Under the system, all consignments are inspected on arrival in Australia and are subject to mandatory fumigation whenever any live pests are found and until they meet compliance requirements.
  

The existing policy for the importation of cut flowers is based on minimising the risk of accidental introduction of any associated pathogen and arthropod pest. The risk management measures proposed in this document are methyl bromide fumigation or a systems approach that provides equivalence to fumigation by using alternative measure which will be equally effective in meeting Australia’s quarantine requirements.

1.3.4Consultation

Prior to the draft release, the department met with flower growers through the Post Entry Plant Industry Consultative Committee (PEPICC) in March 2012 to discuss the market access request and upcoming draft policy review. The industry representatives were later provided with a copy of the draft policy review for their comments. At the March 2013 meeting, PEPICC members were advised of relevant comments made to the draft policy review and that material matters raised will be addressed in the final report.

The draft review of policy was distributed to the relevant state departments for comment to identify any concerns. Submissions were received from Queensland and Western Australia.

Written submissions were received from ten other stakeholders, including BAPHIQ. Submissions have been considered and material matters raised have been included in the present report.

The department also held a teleconference in May 2013 with the Australian Flower Council to discuss the draft policy review. Departmental officers attended the Victorian Flower Growers’ conference in July 2013 and discussed the lily draft policy and other cut flower issues.

Following stakeholder consultation, some amendments have been made to the final report where appropriate, including:

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  Additional information has been added to Section 1.3.3 to reflect recent changes to the current import policy for all cut flowers.
  
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  Additional information about bulbil formation and varieties has been added to Section 2.1.
  
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  Table 2 has been updated to reflect the current cut flower and foliage quarantine conditions as listed in ICON (ICON 2013).
  
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  One pest has been removed from Appendix A, Lilioceris merdigera, as requested by BAPHIQ. Lilioceris formosana remains listed as a quarantine pest in Appendix A and risk management measures still apply to this species.
  
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  Additional information has been added to Thrips palmi in Appendix A, reflecting the regulated status of this pest for WA and SA. Additional inspection requirements exist for WA under Interstate Certification Assurance for that state.
  
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  Oxya intricata is not considered a quarantine pest for lily cut flowers as indicated in the table for initiation and categorisation of pests in Appendix A, and this has now been correctly reflected in the final column of Appendix A.
  
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  Further comments regarding viral pathogens and their transmission potential have been added (Sections 4 and 5.1.2).
  
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  Management for virus quarantine pests under Section 5.1.2 has been updated.
  
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  The option to import cut flowers with methyl bromide fumigation was added; exemptions from methyl bromide fumigation are possible based on importer and supplier compliance history.
  
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  Under Section 4.1.3, additional operational requirements have been highlighted for pests of regional concern to Western Australia and South Australia. Furthermore, changes to this section have been made to clarify and reflect the difference in operational requirements between a systems approach and methyl bromide fumigation based on importer and supplier compliance history.