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

1.24Grapevine leaf rust

Phakopsora euvitis (EP)

Phakopsora euvitis was included in the final import policies for table grapes from China (Biosecurity Australia 2011a), Korea (Biosecurity Australia 2011b) and Japan (Department of Agriculture 2014). In these existing policies, the unrestricted risk estimate for P. euvitis 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 P. euvitis 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. euvitis are also independent of the importation pathway. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess these components.

The main import windows differ between table grapes from the previous export areas and Sonora. However, tissues susceptible to infection by P. euvitis will be available during a limited part of the expected import window in non-tropical areas of Australia and all through the expected import window in tropical areas of Australia for table grapes from Sonora. Therefore, the likelihood of distribution for P. euvitis for table grapes from Sonora will be comparable to that from the previous export areas. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess this component.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for P. euvitis for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. Due to the arid and semi-arid climate of Sonora, the department considers that the likelihood of importation for P. euvitis for table grapes from Sonora could be lower than that in the previous assessments. However, because of the lack of information about the prevalence and distribution of P. euvitis in Sonora, the department considers that the likelihood of importation for P. euvitis for table grapes from Sonora would be at least ‘low’. The unrestricted risk estimate for P. euvitis for table grapes from Sonora would only achieve Australia’s ALOP if the likelihood of importation was assessed as ‘very low’, ‘extremely low’ or ‘negligible’. 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. euvitis in the existing policies.

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

1.25Phomopsis cane and leaf spot

Phomopsis viticola (EP, WA)

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

Phomopsis viticola was included in several existing import policies, for example for table grapes from Chile (Biosecurity Australia 2005b), 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. viticola was assessed as achieving Australia’s ALOP and therefore no specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

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

The likelihood of distribution was reassessed for table grapes from California to take account of new information available as well as the differences in the expected import window compared to that assessed previously. Similar to table grapes from California, the main import window for table grapes from Sonora occurs during a period when Australian grapevines are considered less susceptible to infection and climatic conditions in most areas of Western Australia are warm and dry and not conducive to disease development. Therefore, the likelihood of distribution for P. viticola for table grapes from Sonora will be comparable to that for table grapes from California to Western Australia. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess this component.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for P. viticola for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The department considers that the likelihood of importation for P. viticola for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable or at least not higher than the highest rating in the previous assessments. Also, if the likelihood of importation is assessed as ‘high’ (the possible highest rating) for P. viticola for table grapes from Sonora, the unrestricted risk estimate will still achieve 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. viticola in the existing policies.

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