Risk Management Proposal:  
Amendments to  the import health standard s 
Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) 
and Prunus  Plants for Planting 
(MPI.IHS. PRUNUS .PFP)   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepared for  public consultation   
by Plant Germplasm Imports  
Animal and Plant Health Directorate  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October 2021   
 
   
  
 
 
Disclaimer  
 
While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this publication is accurate, the  Ministry  for 
Primary Industries does not accept any responsibility or liability for error of fact, omission, interpretation or 
opinion that may be present, nor for the consequences of any decisions based on this information.  
 
This publication is also available on t he Ministry for Primary Industries  website at  
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news -and-resources/publications/   
 
 
© Crown Copyright – Ministry  for Primary Industries   
i Contents  Page 
 
Submissions  1 
1.1 General Information  2 
1.2 Background and context to consultation  2 
2 Part 1: Amendment to the Nursery Stock  standard  4 
2.1 Background for the proposed changes to the Nursery Stock  standard  4 
2.2 Proposed amendments  4 
2.3 Rationale for the proposed amendments  4 
2.4 Feasibility of the proposed change to the standard  5 
3 Part 2: Amendment to the Prunus standard  5 
3.1 Background for the proposed changes to the Prunus  standard  5 
3.2 Proposed amendments  6 
3.3 Rationale for the proposed amendments  6 
3.4 Feasibility of the proposed change to the standard  7 
4 References  8 
5 Appendices  9 
5.1 Technical advice on: association of Phytophthora ramorum  with Malus  spp. 9 
5.2 Example of the proposed changes to the Nursery Stock  standard  11 
5.3 Summary of existing transitional arrangements for Prunus  plants for planting from an offshore 
facility  12 
5.4 Emerging pest risks assessed through MPI’s Emerging Risks System for Prunus  nursery stock
 13 
5.5 Example of proposed changes to the Prunus  standard  13 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   
RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  • 1 Submissions  
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment from interested parties on the amended  
import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) (referred to as the “Nursery Stock  
standard ”) and Prunus  Plants for Planting  (MPI.IHS. PRUNUS .PFP)  (referred to as the “Prunus  
standard ”).  
 
An import health standard (IHS) “specifies requirements to be met for the effective management of 
risks associated with importing risk goods, including risks arising because importing the goods 
involves or might involve an incidentally imported new organism.” (section 22 Biosecurity , Act 1993)  
 
MPI would like feedback  on the following changes to the  Nursery Stock  standard  and the Prunus  
standard . 
1. Amendment of the Nursery Stock  standard to remove Malus  as a known host of Phytophthora 
ramorum ; and  
2. Amendment of the Prunus  standard to extend the transitional period from 23 January 2022 to 
23 January 202 5. 
 
Include the following  in your submission :  
• The title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email  
• Your name and title  
• Your organisation’s name (if applicable)  
 
Send submissions to standards@mpi.govt.nz  or plantimports@mpi.govt.nz  by 12 November 2021.  
 
Feel free to include any  technical information  you have that support s your submission. While we 
prefer email, if  you would like to send your submission by post, you can mail it  to: 
 
Plant Germplasm Imports  
Animal and Plant Health  Directorate  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
New Zealand  
 
Submissions received by  12 November 2021  will be considered during the development of the 
amended  standard . Submissions received after the clos ing date may be held on file for consideration 
when the issued standard  is next revised/reviewed.  
 
 
Official Information Act 1982  
Please note that your submission is public information , and it is MPI policy to publish submissions 
and the review of submissions on the MPI website. Submissions may also be the subject of requests 
for information under the O fficial Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is 
to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in 
the OIA. Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific inf ormation contained in 
their submission, such as information being  commercially sensitive or personal. Any decision to 
withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman . 
    
 
2 • RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  Ministry for Primary Industries  1.1 General Information  
1.1.1 Purpose  
(1) The purpose of this document is to:  
• Provide relevant background information about the Nursery Stock  standard  and Prunus  
standard ;  
• Clarify the proposed amendments to the requirements for the importation of Malus  plants for 
planting as stipulated in the Nursery Stock standard , and Prunus plants for planting as 
stipulated in the Prunus standard ;  
• Provide the rationale for the proposed  amendments to the requirements for the importation of 
Malus  and Prunus plants for planting ; and to  
• Seek feedback on the proposed amendments  to the requirements  for the importation of Malus 
and Prunus  plants for planting . 
1.1.2 Background   
(2) The Nursery Stock  standard  is a composite standard for a range of nursery stock species . This 
was last updated in relation to Phytophthora ramorum  on 11 June 2014.  The standard was 
issued under section 2 4A of the Biosecurity Act (1993) and applies to nursery stock  that is 
imported into New Zealand from foreign countries and territories , directly or via  MPI-approved 
offshore facilities . 
(3) The Prunus  standard was issued on 23 January 2020 . The standard was issued under section 
24A of the Biosecurity Act (1993) and applies to Prunus  dormant cuttings and tissue culture  
that is imported into New Zealand from foreign countries and territories , directly or via MPI -
approved offshore facilities . 
1.1.3 Timing and consultation  
(4) The proposed amendments to the Nursery Stock  standard  and Prunus  standard  were released for 
consultation on  1 November  2021  and will remain open for consultation until 19 November 
2021 . 
1.2 Background and context to consultation  
1.2.1 International  regulation of risk goods  
(5) “The World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures (SPS Agreement) sets in place rules that protect each country’s sovereign right to take 
the measures necessary to protect the life or health of its people, animals, and plants, while at 
the same time facilitating trade. It embodies a nd promotes the use of science -based risk 
assessments to manage the risks associated with the international movement of goods. The SPS 
Agreement guides how New Zealand sets standards and makes decisions related to biosecurity.” 
(MAF et al., 2009, p. 1)  
(6) “In particular, [it is] important to maintain the standards of transparency and scientific rigour 
required by the SPS Agreement and to make decisions as quickly as possible. This will 
encourage other countries to comply with the rules of the SPS Agreement and  also demonstrate 
that New  Zealand’s strict controls are justified to countries that challenge them.” (MAF et al., 
2009, p.  13) 
1.2.2 Domestic regulation of biosecurity risks associated with nursery stock  
(7) The New Zealand biosecurity system is regulated through t he Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act). 
Section 22 of the Act describes an import health standard and requires all risk goods imported 
into New Zealand to be managed by an import health standard. MPI is the New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries   
RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  • 3 government ministry responsible for mainta ining biosecurity standards for the effective 
management of risks associated with the importation of risk goods into New Zealand (Part 3, 
Biosecurity Act 1993). MPI is committed to the principles of transparency and evidence -based 
technical justification f or all phytosanitary measures, new and amended, imposed on importing 
pathways .     
 
4 • RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  Ministry for Primary Industries  2 Part 1: Amendment to the Nursery Stock  standard  
2.1 Background for the proposed changes to the Nursery Stock  standard  
(8) Phytophthora ramorum  is a regulated, unwanted, notifiable, qua rantine pest in New Zealand. 
This pathogen has a wide host range and can cause asymptomatic infections in plants. Measures 
for Phytophthora ramorum  were first introduced to the Nursery Stock  standard in 2006 and later 
updated to include additional hosts in 201 1 and 2014 .  
(9) Malus  was recorded  as a host of Phytophthora ramorum as part of the urgent amendment in 
2011 with associated risk management measures applied1. Malus  was included because  
literature was available that confirm ed that Malus is slightly susceptible to infection during 
laboratory  experimental inoculation .  
(10) MPI’s Plant  Risk Analysis team  (Appendix 5.1) conducted a literature review in 2021 to clarify  
whether  Malus  can be naturally infected with  Phytophthora ramorum . There were no records of 
natural infection of Malus  by Phytophthora ramorum in the scientific publications, internal and 
global databases, interception records, and NPPO lists of regulated hosts  that were reviewed .  
2.2 Proposed amendments  
2.2.1 Amendments  to the Nursery Stock  standard  
(11) MPI proposes remov ing Malus  as a host of Phytophthora ramorum  as listed in Part 2.2.1.11 
‘Measures for Phytophthora ramorum ’. No other changes are proposed.  
(12) The proposed change will apply to all Malus  nursery stock imports from all cou ntries.  
(13) The impact of the proposed change to the Nursery Stock  standard is illustrated in Appendix 5.2.  
2.3 Rationale for the proposed amendments  
2.3.1 Amendments to  the Nursery Stock  standard  
 
(14) Technical advice (Appendix 5.1) on the natural and experimental infection of Malus  with 
Phytophthora ramorum  (MPI, 2021 ) confirm ed that there are no known reports of Malus  as a 
natural host of Phytophthora ramorum . This did , however , highlight that  three experimental 
studies report Malus  is slightly susceptible to infection .  
(15) The three publications  that note that Malus  is slightly susceptible to infection under 
experimental  conditions  do not  justif y maintaining risk management measures for Phytophthora 
ramorum  on Malus . The early (2002) publication noted that Malus is slightly susceptible host 
following laboratory inoculation, and the later publications (2010 and 2016)  noted that while the 
oomycete Phytophthora r amorum  was able to colonise  Malus  species fruit and leaves  under 
experimental conditions , it did not produce abundant chlamydospores . Without abundant 
chlamydospores, Phytophthora ramorum  is unlikely to survive any unfavourable conditions  and 
so is unlikely  to become established on Malus . 
(16) MPI general ly only applies risk management measures for pests based on evidence of natural  
host infection , not on the basis of experimental host infection results . This is because artificially 
infected hosts on this  pathway do  not lead to the introduction of pests. Because  Malus  is not a  
 
1 The risk management measures imposed for Phytophthora ramorum  are declarations on the phytosanitary 
certificate confirming the plants were sourced from pest -free areas or pest -free places of production or testing 
during Level 3B quarantine. Alternative me asures may also be applied when the plants are sourced via MPI -
approved offshore facilities. In the case of Malus , plants are generally obtained from MPI -approved offshore 
facilities, and risk is managed by growth in containment offshore, followed by speci fic testing in New Zealand.  
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   
RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  • 5 known  natural host of Phytophthora ramorum , measures to manage Phytophthora ramorum  on 
Malus  are no longer justified.  
2.4 Feasibility of the proposed change to the standard  
2.4.1 Changes to the Nursery Stock  standard  
(17) The proposed removal of Malus  as a natural host of Phytophthora ramorum  is feasible. The 
main advantage of the change is the removal of an existing  requirement  (testing or 
phytosanitary certificate declaration) , which is also  the removal of  a barrier to trade.  
(18) Malus is predominantly imported from MPI -approved offshore facilities. T he proposed change 
facilitates trade by reducing the cost associated with testing  the plants for Phytophthora 
ramorum  both offshore and onshore, as currently required for the importation of Malus  plants 
for planting into New Zealand  from offshore facilities .  
(19) The proposed change does not involve new requirements for imported Malus  plants for planting 
and do es not affect any other requirements of the Nursery Stock  standard. The proposed change 
will not impose additional costs on New Zealand importers.  
 
3 Part 2: Amendment to the Prunus standard  
3.1 Background for the proposed changes to the Prunus  standard  
(20) MPI issued a new import health standard for Prunus  plants for planting on 23 January 2020. A 
key outcome of the review of the import health standard was that plants obtained from MPI -
approved offshore facilities were required to undergo post -entry quarantine in a Level 3A 
facility, rather than a Level 2 facility (which was required under the previous standard). 
However, stakeholders expressed concern that the Level 3A greenhouse capacity would not 
accommodate the volume of imports that had been planned (all of which were coming from 
MPI-approved offshore f acilities ).  
(21) MPI agreed that industry would require some time to transition toward adopting a higher level 
of protection. MPI assisted by instituting a two -year transitional period, during which time 
Prunus  plants for planting from MPI -approved offshore fa cilities could continue to go into 
Level 2 greenhouses with additional risk management measures  (summarised in Appendix 5.3). 
This means that the re will be risk management  of regulated pests associated with Prunus  plants 
for planting , but to a lower level of protection than w ill be achieved when all measures of the 
current standard are fully implemented.  
(22) A key reason for the original transitional period being two -years , from 23 Jan 2020, was that it 
was considered to give sufficient time for the developmen t of additional Level 3A quarantine 
capacity. However,  the available Level 3A quarantine capacity has not changed since 
implementation of the transitional period2, and  government –industry discussions about  the 
current level 3A capacity are ongoing . Some d ecisions  on quarantine capacity  are likely to be 
made within the next one to two years . With the increased certainty those decisions will bring to 
industry and investors, if applicable,  capacity could  increase  thereafter .  However, this won’t be 
resolved before 23 January 2022 when the transitional period expires.   
(23) Investment into interim Level 3B quarantine greenhouses has  begun, with the first interim 
capacity expected in November 2022. However, while capable of applying the appropriate level 
of pr otection required in the Prunus IHS, the additional Level 3B capacity will likely be utilised 
 
2 The privately owned quarantine facility ArborGen is currently the  only provider of Level 3A rooms for 
imported Prunus  plants for planting.  ArborGen has two such rooms.     
 
6 • RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  Ministry for Primary Industries  for plants which require that high  level of  quarantine . Such plants  are currently  unable to be 
imported due to the significant backlog in level 3B capacity bookin g (booked until 2025).  The 
additional Level 3B capacity will therefore likely be unavailable to Prunus  plants for planting, 
and the  quarantine space  will also not be complete before the expiry of the current transitional 
period.  
(24) As was the case almost two  years ago, the volume of importation s planned for the 2022 growing 
season will not be accommodated by the current quarantine capacity . This affects not just plants 
for planting of the Prunus species but  also plants of other horticultural species that currently 
require Level 3A post -entry quarantine , such as  Vaccinium  spp. 
(25) A check of the new and emerging pest risks assessed by MPI’s Emerging Risks System for the 
last two years did not identify any new or emerging pest risks that would make it inappropri ate 
from a biosecurity perspective to continue to accept the lower level of protection offered under 
the transitional arrangements (summarised in Appendix 5.4). 
3.2 Proposed amendments  
3.2.1 Amendments to the Prunus  standard  
(26) MPI proposes extending the transitional p eriod noted in section 1.7 of the Prunus  standard from 
23 January 2022 to 23 January 2025 . No other changes are proposed.  
(27) The proposed change will apply to Prunus  dormant cuttings and tissue culture imported from an 
MPI-approved offshore facility.  
(28) The im pact of the proposed changes to the Prunus  standard is illustrated in Appendix 5.5. 
3.3 Rationale for the proposed amendments  
3.3.1 Changes to the Prunus  standard  
(29) A three -year extension to the transitional period is proposed. This is based on MPI requiring one 
year to finalise strategic decisions regarding the implementation of additional quarantine space, 
and allowing  a two -year period for MPI and industry to implement strategic decisions via the 
Plant Germplasm Import Council .  This Council is developing  a new strategy for the plant 
germplasm import system, and the three -year timeframe is considered realistic in the context of 
that work.  
(30) Extension  of the transitional period  means  the following for biosecurity risk management:  
a. Risk management of  regulated pests associated with Prunus  plants for planting is 
provided  (to a particular level) by the additional measures required during the 
transitional period .  The level of protection during the transitional period is higher 
than that of fered by the old standard  (which utilis ed Level 2 quarantine and had no 
additional transitional measures) , but not as high as required when Prunus  standard  is 
fully implemented and utilising Level 3A quarantine.  [More information on the 
original rational f or the transitional period is available on the MPI consultation 
website (MPI, 2019)].  
b. There would be continu ed accept ance of  the residual risk  not managed by the lower 
level of protection established by the transitional arrangement.  
(31) Extension  of the transitional period and a ccepting the associated residual risk is considered a 
pragmatic a pproach  to balance risk management and trade. W ithout the transitional measures, 
the Prunus  pathway will effectively be closed, which is not commensurate with the residual 
risk.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   
RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  • 7 (32) If the transitional period is not extended, the Prunus Plants for Planting import pathway will 
require Level 3A quarantine space. As no ted above, no additional Level 3A quarantine space 
will be available prior to the current transitional period expiring. The limited Level 3A capacity 
available for Prunus  plants from MPI -approved offshore facilities  directly impacts horticulture 
industry g rowth which depends on the availability of new germplasm , which  will only be 
available if the importers can access  the required  quarantine  space .  The limited 3A quarantine 
capacity will impose a reduction in the volume of plants that have historically bee n imported. 
This conclusion is based on the following:  
a. To our knowledge, there are only two Level 3A rooms accessible for Prunus  plants . 
These are primarily used to quarantin e Vaccinium  tissue cultures.  The demand for 
quarantine of Vaccinium plants will not reduce in the upcoming years as evidenced by 
the continued processing of permits for Vaccinium  imports.  
b. If Prunus  plants are required to go into Level 3A quarantine  after 23 January 2022 , it 
is unlik ely there will be a Level 3A quarantine vacancy before April 2022. This means  
plants  intended to be  imported a fter 23 January 2022 will not  have  quarantine space 
until at least April 2022 , and there will be ongoing competition for quarantine space 
thereaft er. Furthermore, even if space becomes available in April, importation  of 
budwood  as late a s April is not feasible  because grafting of imported Prunus  buds 
onto rootstock is not viable that late in the year . 
(33) There is a high demand for Prunus  as evidenced by the multiple import permits and number of 
consignments recently imported. This high demand is likely to be continued for the upcoming 
years as evidenced by the stonefruit sector growth forecasts. T he unintended restriction on 
import volume s of Prunus  plants because of limited Level 3A capacity will have an impact on 
industry’s ability to contribute toward these growth forecasts.   
(34) The competition for the  small amount of  Level 3A capacity will have an impact on the 
Vaccinium spp. industry.  Imports of  Vaccinium  spp. would need to be reduced  to accommodate 
Prunus  plants going into Level 3A quarantine. This w ould have an impact on growth for New 
Zealand’s  Vaccinium  spp. industries (mostly blueberries).  
(35) In contrast, Level 2 capacity does not restr ict the volume of Prunus  plants that can be imported.  
This will also remove the main competition for the limited Level 3A quarantine space, thereby 
removing any unintended impact to the Vaccinium industry.  
3.4 Feasibility of the proposed change to the standard  
3.4.1 Changes to the Prunus  standard  
(36) Extension of the transition period is feasible. Level 2 quarantine capacity is available, and t he 
transitional arrangements are already in place . The transitional arrangements  are also currently 
being used by importers.  
(37) The main advantage that the transitional period offers is that Prunus  plants from MPI -approved 
offshore facilities can complete post -entry quarantine in a Level 2 greenhouse , with additional 
requirements (as described in appendix 5.3) to ma intain a lower level of protection.  The 
disadvantage is that the lower level of protection leaves a residual risk which will be  accepted 
for an extended period . 
(38) Level 2 capacity does not restrict the volume of Prunus  plants that can be imported  (MPI , 
2021) , nor does  this have any unintended impacts  to the Vaccinium industry.  
     
 
8 • RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  Ministry for Primary Industries  4 References  
(MPI, 2021 ) Technical advice on: association of Phytophthora ramorum  with Malus  spp. Ministry for Primary 
Industries; Wellington, NZ.  
MAF; MFAT; FSA (2009) Balance in Trade. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
and Trade, New Zealand, Food Safety Authority; Wellington, NZ. 
https://w ww.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/12576 -balance -in-trade 
MPI (2021) Post -entry quarantine facilities for plants . Ministry for Primary Industries; Wellington, NZ.  
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/resources -and-forms/registers -and-lists/peq -facilities -for-plants/  Accessed O ctober 
2021.  
MPI (2019) Consultation Document: Quarantine requirements for plants from MPI -approved offshore facilities 
and transitional arrangements in the import health standard https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/38696 -
20191126 -Consultation -document -Quarantine -requirements -and-transitional -arrangements -for-Prunus -Plants -
for-Planti ng Accessed October 2021.  
   
Ministry for Primary Industries   
RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  • 9 5 Appendices  
5.1 Technical advice on: association of Phytophthora ramorum  with Malus  spp. 
    
   
 
10 • RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  Ministry for Primary Industries   
 
 
 
 
  
 
Ministry for Primary Industries   
RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  • 11  
5.2 Example of the proposed changes to the Nursery Stock  standard  
 
 
  
   
 
12 • RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  Ministry for Primary Industries  5.3 Summary of existing transitional arrangements for Prunus  plants  for planting  
from an offshore facility  
(39) The existing transitional arrangements are as follows:  
a. Leaf samples must be plated on agar during the transitional period.  
i. This requirement manages the r isk of fungi (under the appropriate level of 
protection offered by the old standard) that would otherwise be managed in 
3A with the application of temperature regimes during growing season. 
Maintaining this old measure is important, because Level 2 greenho uses lack 
the infrastructure to support the application of temperature regimes.  
b. Plants must be  tested for Pseudomonas  spp. during the transitional period . 
i. This requirement manages the risk of Pseudomonas  spp. (under the 
appropriate level of protection offe red by the old standard) that would be 
managed with the application of temperature regimes during growing season. 
Maintaining this old measure is important , because Level 2 greenhouses lack 
the infrastructure to support the application of temperature regim es. 
c. There are a dditional operational restrictions in post -entry quarantine . 
i. Additional operational restrictions , such as no overhead irrigation of plants, 
enhance the effectiveness of the operational requirements for a Level 2 
greenhouse and minimise the l ikelihood of any regulated pests being  
dispersed by rain or water and then escaping from post -entry quarantine . 
d. Impose post -clearance requirements on any Prunus  plants for planting that enter post -
entry quarantine during the transitional period . 
With the f ull implementation of the Prunus  plants for planting import health 
standard, the requirement to expose plants to temperature regimes enhances 
risk management for a wide range of pests (such as unknown or emerging 
pests and regulated species not identified in the risk analysis) without having 
to do specific molecular testing. Because Level 2 greenhouses lack the 
infrastructure to support the application of temperature regimes, ongoing 
inspections and maintaining traceability of plants, for 12 months after th eir 
release from post -entry quarantine, will provide some risk management from 
pests that may express disease symptoms during this time . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   
RMP: Amendments to the import health standards Importation of Nursery Stock  (155.02.06) and Prunus Plants for Planting  
(MPI.IHS.PRUNUS.PFP)  • 13 5.4 Emerging pest risks assessed through MPI’s Emerging Risks System for Prunus  
nursery stock 
Pest from the alert  Specific pre -export or 
onshore measures that will 
appropriately manage the 
pest Generic or another 
organism’s pre -export or 
onshore measures that will 
appropriately manage the 
pest Are measures 
required to manage 
this pest on Prunus ? 
Citrus leaf blotch virus  
(CLBV)  None  None  Not at this stage. Only 
a single report from 
2014 of CLBV on 
Prunus  from China. 
CLBV not known to 
naturally infect other 
hosts other than citrus. 
This virus was not 
considered a hazard 
during the Prunus  
review.  
Xylella fastidiosa  subsp. 
multiplex  Two PCR tests—one pre -
export by MPI -approved 
offshore facility and the 
seco nd during post -entry 
quarantine    
 
5.5 Example of proposed changes to the Prunus  standard