Draft report for the non-regulated analysis of existing policy for table grapes from Sonora, Mexico

1.15Grapevine phylloxera

Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (EP)

Daktulosphaira vitifoliae was included in the final import policy for table grapes from China (Biosecurity Australia 2011a), from Korea (Biosecurity Australia 2011b) and from Japan (Department of Agriculture 2014). In these existing policies, the unrestricted risk estimate for D. vitifoliae was assessed as exceeding Australia’s ALOP and therefore specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of D. vitifoliae in Australia will be comparable regardless of the fresh fruit commodity in which this species is imported into Australia, as these likelihoods relate specifically to events that occur in Australia and are principally independent of the importation pathway. The consequences of D. vitifoliae are also independent of the importation pathway. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess these components.

Even though the main import windows differ between table grapes from the previous export areas and Sonora, tissues susceptible to infection by D. vitifoliae will be available during the expected import window for table grapes from Sonora as well as during the import windows for table grapes from the previous export areas. Therefore, the likelihood of distribution for this pest for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable to that for table grapes from the previously assessed export areas. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess this component.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for D. vitifoliae for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The department considers that the likelihood of importation for D. vitifoliae for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable to that in the previous assessments. Due to this reason, it is considered that there is no need to reassess this component for this species for table grapes from Sonora.

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature and no new information is available that would significantly change the risk ratings for importation, distribution, establishment, spread and consequences as set out for D. vitifoliae in the existing policies.

Similar to previous assessments, the unrestricted risk estimate for D. vitifoliae for table grapes from Sonora exceeds Australia’s ALOP. Therefore, specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

1.16Plant bugs

Lygus hesperus (EP) and Lygus lineolaris (EP)

Lygus hesperus and Lygus lineolaris were included in the existing import policies for table grapes from California to Western Australia (DAFF 2013) and stone fruit from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington (Biosecurity Australia 2010). In these existing policies, the unrestricted risk estimate for L. hesperus and L. lineolaris was assessed as achieving Australia’s ALOP and therefore no specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

Unlike in the previous assessments, although these two Lygus species are recorded in Mexico there are no reports citing infestation of table grapes in Mexico. Therefore, the department considered that the risk of these Lygus species for table grapes from Sonora would be even lower than that assessed previously. Due to this reason, it is considered that there is no need to reassess the risk associated with these species for table grapes from Sonora.

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature and no new information is available that would significantly change the risk ratings for importation, distribution, establishment, spread and consequences as set out for L. hesperus and L. lineolaris in the existing policies.

Similar to previous assessments, the unrestricted risk estimate for L. hesperus and L. lineolaris for table grapes from Sonora achieves Australia’s ALOP. Therefore, no specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

1.17European fruit lecanium

Parthenolecanium corni (EP, WA)

Parthenolecanium corni is not present in Western Australia and is a pest of regional quarantine concern for that state.

Parthenolecanium corni was included in the final import policy for table grapes from China (Biosecurity Australia 2011a), from California to Western Australia (DAFF 2013) and from Japan (Department of Agriculture 2014). In these existing policies, the unrestricted risk estimate for P. corni was assessed as achieving Australia’s ALOP and therefore specific risk management measures are not required for this pest.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of P. corni in Australia will be comparable regardless of the fresh fruit commodity in which this species is imported into Australia, as these likelihoods relate specifically to events that occur in Australia and are principally independent of the importation pathway. The consequences of P. corni are also independent of the importation pathway. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess these components.

Parthenolecanium corni has a wide host range and the likelihood of distribution for this pest for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable to that for table grapes from the previously assessed export areas. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess this component.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for P. corni for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The department considers that the likelihood of importation for P. corni for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable to that in the previous assessments. Also, if the likelihood of importation is assessed as ‘high’ (the possible highest estimate) for P. corni for table grapes from Sonora, the unrestricted risk estimate will still achieves Australia’s ALOP. Due to this reason, it is considered that there is no need to reassess this component for this species for table grapes from Sonora.

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature and no new information is available that would significantly change the risk ratings for importation, distribution, establishment, spread and consequences as set out for P. corni in the existing policies.

Similar to previous assessments, the unrestricted risk estimate for P. corni for table grapes from Sonora achieves Australia’s ALOP. Therefore, specific risk management measures are not required for this pest.