Khapra beetle: additional biosecurity measures

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has issued a notice on Khapra beetle measures: Other-risk plant products and seeds for sowing (Phases 4 and 5).

Who does this notice affect?

Importers of other-risk plant products, seeds for sowing and other stakeholders in the import and shipping industries – including vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal shipping agents, and any other operators in the sea container supply and logistics chain. 

What has changed?

On 28 April 2022, import conditions for seeds for sowing and a wide range of other-risk plant products exported from all countries will change. Other-risk plant products include seeds, nuts, green coffee beans, dried fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices. The complete list of in scope other-risk products (including mode of arrival, end-use and exclusions) are listed on our webpage.

Under Phase 4 of the urgent actions, other-risk plant products exported on or after 28 April 2022 from any country must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with the additional declaration:

•  "Representative samples were inspected and found free from evidence of any species of Trogoderma (whether live, dead or exuviae) in Australia’s list of Trogoderma species of biosecurity concern."

Under Phase 5 of the urgent actions, seeds for sowing exported on or after 28 April 2022 from any country for all arrival modes must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with the additional declaration: 

• "Representative samples were inspected and found free from evidence of any species of Trogoderma (whether live, dead or exuviae) in Australia’s list of Trogoderma species of biosecurity concern."

Notes

• If other-risk plant products are packed into a container with high-risk plant products in a khapra beetle target risk country, all goods may be treated and certified using an approved option for high-risk plant products. For more information on treatment and certification requirements, see the Phase 3 webpage.
• If the products will be packed into a Full Container Load/Full Container Consolidated sea container in a khapra beetle target risk country and will be unpacked in a rural khapra risk area of Australia, the sea container will need to be treated. See more details on the sea container webpage.