Who does this notice affect?

Fumigators and importers of cut flowers and fresh produce.

What has changed?

The department will be conducting post-fumigation inspections for consignments that are found to be infested with live insects. Consignments infested with live insects will be re-inspected 24 hours after methyl bromide fumigation.

Consignments will be selected from each fumigator for post-fumigation inspections at the following rates:
•Cut flowers – 10 consignments with live insects detected prior to fumigation
•Fresh Produce – 5 consignments with live insects detected prior to fumigation

Post fumigation verification inspections on cut flowers and fresh produce will commence from 19 September 2016.
This verification activity forms part of an ongoing review of cut flower and fresh produce import pathways. The data collected will help inform the department of the effectiveness of methyl bromide fumigation and current fumigation practice.

Importers will be charged for the additional inspection as per the department’s charging guidelines.

Importers who continue to import clean material will not be affected by post-fumigation verification inspections.

Further information

For additional information you can email Plant Import Operations Branch at Imports or phone 1800 900 090.

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/industry-advice/ian/16/88-2016