Biosecurity Australia Advice notifying the policy determination for fresh greenhouse-grown capsicum (paprika) from the Republic of Korea

This Biosecurity Australia Advice notifies stakeholders that Australia’s Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine has determined a policy for the importation of fresh greenhouse-grown capsicum (paprika) fruit from the Republic of Korea. The importation of fresh greenhouse-grown capsicum may be permitted subject to the Quarantine Act 1908 and the application of phytosanitary measures as specified in the Final import risk analysis report for fresh greenhouse-grown capsicum (paprika) fruit from the Republic of Korea.

In response to a proposal from the Republic of Korea, Biosecurity Australia completed an import risk analysis (IRA) on fresh greenhouse-grown capsicum (paprika) fruit from the Republic of Korea. The IRA was completed in accordance with the Import Risk Analysis Handbook 2007 provisions for a standard regulated process (BAA 2008/07), a draft report issued on 20 May 2008 for stakeholder consultation (BAA 2008/14) and an appeals process (BAA 2009/11 and BAA 2009/15).

The Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel advised that one submission was received in response to the Provisional final import risk analysis report for fresh greenhouse-grown capsicum (paprika) fruit from the Republic of Korea. The Panel determined that the appeal was valid and was considered further. The Panel did not allow the appeal. Stakeholders should note that minor changes were made to the IRA report following the appeal process, including the removal of Peanut stunt virus, which is not known to infect capsicum crops in the Republic of Korea. The Panel’s findings are available at www.daff.gov.au/iraap.

The Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine has made a policy determination to permit the entry of fresh greenhouse-grown capsicum (paprika) fruit from the Republic of Korea to Australia. Importation of fresh capsicums from the Republic of Korea can now be permitted, subject to the Quarantine Act 1908 and Quarantine Proclamation 1998, and the application of phytosanitary measures as specified in the Final import risk analysis report for fresh greenhouse-grown capsicum (paprika) fruit from the Republic of Korea (available at www.biosecurityaustralia.gov.au). These measures are designed to manage quarantine risk to a level that is acceptably low, in order to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.

The quarantine measures are pre-export phytosanitary inspection and certification by the National Plant Quarantine Service of the Republic of Korea, on-arrival inspection by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and remedial action if any quarantine pests are detected. This will be supported by an operational system, for example registration of export greenhouses and packing houses, to maintain and verify the quarantine status of consignments.

Dr Colin J Grant
Chief Executive