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

Grapevine 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 does not achieve the ALOP for Australia and therefore specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of D. vitifoliae in Australia for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to previous assessments. 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.

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. Therefore, the likelihood of distribution for this pest for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to that for table grapes from the previously assessed export areas.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for D. vitifoliae for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The likelihood of importation for D. vitifoliae for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to that in the previous assessments.

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature (for example EFSA Panel on Plant Health 2014; Hoffmann et al. 2015; Wistrom et al. 2016) 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.

1. Unrestricted risk estimate

The unrestricted risk estimate for D. vitifoliae for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to the estimates in previous assessments, and does not achieve the ALOP for Australia. Therefore, specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

5. Plant 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 the ALOP for Australia and therefore no specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of L. hesperus and L. lineolaris for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to previous assessments. These likelihoods relate specifically to events that occur in Australia and are principally independent of the importation pathway. The consequences of L. hesperus and L. lineolaris are also independent of the importation pathway.

Lygus hesperus and L. lineolaris have a wide host range and host material is likely to be available all year round in Australia. The likelihood of distribution for these pests for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to that for commodities from the previously assessed export areas.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for L. hesperus and L. lineolaris for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. 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 likelihood of importation of these Lygus species for table grapes from Sonora is even lower than that assessed previously.

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature (for example Cooper, Nicholson & Puterka 2014; Cooper & Spurgeon 2015; Hagler et al. 2016) 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.

1. Unrestricted risk estimate

The unrestricted risk estimate for L. hesperus and L. lineolaris for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to the estimates in previous assessments, and achieves the ALOP for Australia. Therefore, no specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

6. European 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 the ALOP for Australia and therefore specific risk management measures are not required for this pest.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of P. corni in Australia for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to previous assessments. 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.

Parthenolecanium corni has a wide host range and host material is likely to be available all year round in Australia. The likelihood of distribution for this pest for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to that for table grapes from the previously assessed export areas.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for P. corni for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The likelihood of importation for P. corni for table grapes from Sonora is 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 achieve the ALOP for Australia.

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature (for example Camacho 2015; Camacho & Chong 2015; Rakimov, Hoffmann & Malipatil 2015) 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.

1. Unrestricted risk estimate

The unrestricted risk estimate for P. corni for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to the estimates in previous assessments, and achieves the ALOP for Australia. Therefore, specific risk management measures are not required for this pest.

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