Australia revise the import conditions of grape propagation materials

A few days ago, the Australian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries issued a public quarantine warning that the import conditions for Vitis spp. cuttings, tissue culture seedlings and seeds have been revised, and post-entry quarantine (PEQ) requirements have undergone some major changes.

A recent review recommended enhancements to current PEQ requirements, including increased activity testing (including PCR testing) of 55 known and emerging quarantine pathogens.

These revisions will increase the effectiveness of pathogen detection in PEQs and reduce the minimum time required for the implantation of dormant cuttings and tissue cultures in PEQ.

The main revisions of the new import conditions are as follows:

1. Dormant cuttings (1) The shortest PEQ period was reduced from 24 months to 16 months.

(2) The hot water treatment time at 50°C increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes.

(3) The woody indicator plant detection method using the PCR assay instead of grape cork disease.

(4) The introduction of mandatory molecular (PCR) detection and electron microscopy.

2. Tissue Culture Seedlings (Microplants)

(1) The minimum PEQ period is reduced from 24 months to 12 months.

(2) Hot water treatment of Xylella fastidiosa was replaced by PCR.

(3) The introduction of mandatory molecular (PCR) detection and electron microscopy.

3. Seed (1) The minimum PEQ period increased from 3 months to 9 months.

(2) The introduction of mandatory molecular (PCR) detection and electron microscopy.

The new import requirements apply to imported grape propagation material after July 26, 2013.

Grape propagation materials currently under cultivation in PEQ need to be screened according to the test methods specified in the new requirements.

All current licenses will be revised in the next few weeks according to the new import conditions.