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

1.21Thrips

Caliothrips fasciatus (EP), Drepanothrips reuteri (EP) and Frankliniella occidentalis (EP, NT)

Caliothrips fasciatus (bean thrips), Drepanothrips reuteri (grape thrips) and Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips) have been grouped together because of their related biology and taxonomy, and they are predicted to pose a similar risk and to require similar mitigation measures.

Frankliniella occidentalis is not present in the Northern Territory and is a pest of quarantine concern for that territory.

Several thrips species were assessed previously in a number of existing import policy, for example, in the import policy for mangoes from Taiwan (Biosecurity Australia 2006c), stone fruit from New Zealand to Western Australia (Biosecurity Australia 2006b) and table grapes from Chile (Biosecurity Australia 2005b) and from China (Biosecurity Australia 2011a). In these existing policies, the unrestricted risk estimate for thrips was assessed as exceeding Australia’s ALOP and therefore specific risk management measures are required for the pests.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of thrips in Australia will be comparable regardless of the fresh fruit commodity in which these thrips are 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 thrips are also independent of the importation pathway. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess these components.

Thrips have a wide host range and the likelihood of distribution for these pests for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable to that for commodities assessed previously. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess this component.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for thrips for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The department considers that the likelihood of importation for thrips 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 these thrips 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 thrips in the existing policies.

Similar to previous assessments, the unrestricted risk estimate for thrips for table grapes from Sonora exceeds Australia’s ALOP. Therefore, specific risk management measures are required for these pests.

1.22Kanzawa spider mite

Tetranychus kanzawai (EP, WA)

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

Tetranychus kanzawai was assessed previously 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 T. kanzawai 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 T. kanzawai 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 T. kanzawai are also independent of the importation pathway. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess these components.

Tetranychus kanzawai 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 T. kanzawai for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The department considers that the likelihood of importation for T. kanzawai 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 T. kanzawai in the existing policies.

Similar to previous assessments, the unrestricted risk estimate for T. kanzawai for table grapes from Sonora exceeds Australia’s ALOP. Therefore, specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

1.23Black rot

Guignardia bidwellii (EP)

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

Guignardia bidwellii 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 previous export areas. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess this component.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for G. bidwellii 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 G. bidwellii for table grapes from Sonora could be lower than that in the previous assessments. However, because G. bidwellii has been recorded on table grapes in Sonora, the department considers that the likelihood of importation for G. bidwellii for table grapes from Sonora would be at least ‘very low’. The unrestricted risk estimate for G. bidwellii for table grapes from Sonora would only achieve Australia’s ALOP if the likelihood of importation was assessed as ‘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 G. bidwellii in the existing policies.

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