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

Thrips

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 considered 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, including D. reuteri and/or F. occidentalis, were assessed previously in a number of existing import policies, for example, in the import policy for stone fruit from New Zealand to Western Australia (Biosecurity Australia 2006b) and table grapes from China (Biosecurity Australia 2011a) and from Japan (Australian Department of Agriculture 2014). In these existing policies, the unrestricted risk estimate for thrips does not achieve the ALOP for Australia and therefore specific risk management measures are required for the pests.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of thrips 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 thrips are also independent of the importation pathway.

Thrips 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 thrips for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The likelihood of importation for thrips 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 Arce-Flores, López-Martínez & Gaona-García 2015; Gilbertson et al. 2015; Mani, Shivaraju & Srinivasa Rao 2014; Mound, Nakahara & Tsuda 2016; Nunes Moreira et al. 2014; Ogada, Moualeu & Poehling 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 thrips in the existing policies.

1. Unrestricted risk estimate

The unrestricted risk estimate for thrips 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 these pests.

11. Kanzawa 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 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 T. kanzawai in Western Australia for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to previous assessments. 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.

Tetranychus kanzawai 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 T. kanzawai for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The likelihood of importation for T. kanzawai 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 Ghazy et al. 2016; Shim 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 T. kanzawai in the existing policies.

1. Unrestricted risk estimate

The unrestricted risk estimate for T. kanzawai 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.

12. Black 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 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 G. bidwellii 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 G. bidwellii are also independent of the importation pathway.

Guignardia bidwellii 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 previous export areas.

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 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 likelihood of importation for G. bidwellii for table grapes from Sonora is at least ‘very low’. The unrestricted risk estimate for G. bidwellii for table grapes from Sonora would only achieve the ALOP for Australia if the likelihood of importation was assessed as ‘extremely low’ or ‘negligible’.

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature (for example Onesti, González-Domínguez & Rossi 2016; Rossi et al. 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 G. bidwellii in the existing policies.

1. Unrestricted risk estimate

The unrestricted risk estimate for G. bidwellii 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.

13.