Committee recommends new risk analysis for imported fresh produce

A Senate Committee has recommended all bans on imported Fijian ginger, New Zealand potatoes and Malaysian pineapples be upheld.

The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee also recommended that a new Import Risk Analysis (IRA) be conducted by the Department of Agriculture, taking into account disease pathways into Australia, the lack of reliable testing for zebra chip disease bacteria and other pests and diseases from imported fresh produce.

The recommendations have been welcomed by many industry bodies, including AUSVEG, which represents Australian vegetable and potato growers. The organisation was pleased that the Committee echoed its concerns about the ability of Department of Agriculture’s Biosecurity Department to prevent zebra chip disease from entering the country.

“Yesterday’s report vindicates growers’ concerns from the beginning that the Department needs to act in the interest of Australia’s vegetable growers and not submit to threats of WTO action by our global neighbours,” said William Churchill, AUSVEG Public Affairs Manager.

“There’s a real fear that biosecurity is taking second place to free trade considerations, and if that’s the case then it’s a disaster for the national interest,” Independent Senator Nick Xenophon told ABC News.

“This report shows conclusively that there are many, many flaws in the way risk assessments are handed down and the lack of diagnostic testing for diseases like zebra chip.”

Australia is currently free of zebra chip disease and its carrier, the tomato-potato psyllid. The New Zealand potato industry has been significantly impacted by the disease; it is estimated to have cost the NZ industry more than $200 million in damages since 2008.

“The government has long recognised the issues surrounding Import Risk Analyses, the way they are conducted and the rigour applied. [The committee has] committed to developing a more robust IRA process as part of their election policy and the report shows that there is bipartisan support for a stronger biosecurity system,” Churchill said.

“AUSVEG welcomes any opportunity to work more closely with the Department to ensure a more thorough IRA be conducted and that all available science is considered and that no stone is left unturned when it comes to understanding this pest [tomato-potato psyllid]. It must be comprehensive scientific understanding and rigorous biosecurity protocols that will keep the Psyllid out of Australia.”