Risk Management Proposal:   
 
Harmonisation of phytosanitary measures to manage 
Drosophila suzukii on imported fresh table grapes  
  
 
 
FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION  
 
   
 
 
30 June 2020  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Disclaimer  
 
While every effort has been made to ensure the inform ation 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.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant Imports  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
Pastoral House  
25 The Terrace  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
New Zealand  
 
Tel: +64 4 894 0100  
Fax: +64 4 894 0662  
 
Email: plantimports@mpi.govt.nz 
i  
Contents  Page 
 
Submissions  1 
Official Information Act 1982  2 
Purpose  3 
Scope  3 
Background  3 
Commodity descr iption  4 
Trade   
Current requirements  4 
Proposed IHS requirements  4 
Context  5 
Domestic   
International  6 
Assessme nt 6 
Assessment of Risk  6 
Assessment of Risk Management  6 
Feasability and practicality of measures  7 
References  8  
1 Submissions  
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment from interested parties on the harmonisation 
of phytosanitary measures for the management of Drosophila suzukii  associated with fresh table grapes 
(Vitis vinifera ). MPI has  developed this proposal based on previously evaluat ed scientific evidence and 
assessment of this evidence  (MPI, 2012b & 2013) .  
 
An Import Health Standard (IHS) “specifies requirements to be met for the effective management of 
risks associated with import ing risk goods, including risks arising because importing the goods involves 
or might involve an incidentally imported new organism” (secti on 22(1) Biosecurity Act 1993).  
 
The following points may be of assistance in preparing comments:  
 Wherever possible,  comments should be specific to a particular change in IHS requirements or a 
question asked in this document (referencing section numbers or commodity names as 
applicable).  
 Where possible, reasons, data and supporting published references to support comme nts are 
requested.  
 The use of examples to illustrate particular points is encouraged.   
 
MPI encourages respondents t o forward comments by email.  Please include the following in your 
submission:  
 The title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email;  
 Your name and title (if applicable);  
 Your organisation’s name (if applicable); and  
 Your address.  
 
Send submissions to: plantimports@mpi.govt.nz . 
 
However, should you wish to forward submiss ions in writing, please send them to the following address 
to arrive by close of business on 24 July 2020 . 
Plant Imports  
Plants & Pathways  
Ministry for Primary Industries   
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
New Zealand  
 
Submissions received by the closure date w ill be considered during the amendment of the affected 
import health standards (IHS) which are as follows:  
 Import Health Standard 152.02: Importation and Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables into 
New Zealand ; and,  
 Import Health Standard Commodity Sub -class: Fresh Fruit/Vegetables table grapes Vitis vinifera , 
from China .  
 
Submissions received after the closure date may be held on file for consideration when the issued IHS 
are next revised/ reviewed.  
 2  Risk Management Proposal Drosophila suzukii  harmonisation of measures fresh table grapes  Ministry for Primary Industries   
OFFICIAL INFORMATION  ACT 1982  
 
Please note that yo ur 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 Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).  
 
The OIA specif ies 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 information contained in their submission, such as th e information is commercially sensitive or 
they wish their personal information to be withheld.  
 
Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
3 Purpose  
1) The purpose of this ri sk management proposal (RMP) is to:  
a. Outline the proposed amendments to the import requirements for fresh table grapes 
from China for the management of Drosophila suzukii in order to  harmonise  the 
phytosanitary measures in place for the same pest and commo dity approved for import 
from other countries ;  
b. Explain how the proposed amendment is  consistent with New Zealand’s domestic 
legislation and international obligations;   
c. Seek stakeholder feedback on the amendment to the import requirements for fresh 
table g rapes from China.  
 
Scope  
2) The draft amendment to the IHS is the subject of consultation under section 23(3) of the Biosecurity 
Act (1993). This RMP provides information to support the consultation on the IHS amendment but is 
not itself the subject of consul tation. However, MPI will accept comments and suggestions on the 
RMP in order to improve future IHS consultations.  
3) The RMP : 
a. Provides background information to the existing and proposed phytosanitary measures.  
b. Outlines the context for considering the propos ed phytosanitary measures.  
c. Provides information about how the propos ed phytosanitary measure for D. suzukii  is 
effective and harmonised with measures on other table grape import pathways.  
 
Background  
4) In October 2009, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MP I) conducted an Import Risk Analysis for 
fresh table grapes ( Vitis vinifera ) from the People’s Republic of China which identified D. suzukii as 
a pest requiring additional measures. Proposed measures included:  
- pest free area, or pest free place of producti on, or  
- methyl bromide fumigation followed by cold treatment, or  
- cold treatment.  
5) The IHS for table grapes from China was issued in 2010. Since then, MPI amended IHSs for table 
grapes from USA and Mexico to manage D. suzukii  as it expanded its distribution  into these 
countries. MPI undertook consultation on the amendment of these IHSs (MPI, 2012b, 2012c, 2013). 
The three options consulted for management of D.suzukii  from USA and Mexico were:  
6) Table 1: Measures to manage the risk of D. suzukii on table grapes  from the USA and Mexico  
TREATMENT  SPECIFICATION  
Pest Free Area  “In country” pest free area  
Methyl Bromide Fumigation  40g/m3 for 2 hrs at 15.5°C or greater  4  Risk Management Proposal Drosophila suzukii  harmonisation of measures fresh table grapes  Ministry for Primary Industries  TREATMENT  SPECIFICATION  
SO 2/CO 2 Fumigation  
AND Cold Disinfestation   SO 2/CO 2 (1:6%) fumigation at a minimum of 16 ºC or 
above for 30 minutes  AND  
The core temperature of the fruit to be held continuously 
at -0.5ºC (± 0.7 ºC ) for 6 days  before or during transit to 
New Zealand.   
OR  
SO 2/CO 2 (1:6%) fumigation at a minimum of 16 ºC or 
above for 30 minutes  AND  
The core tempe rature of the fruit to be held continuously 
at 0.9°C (± 0.7 ºC) for 12 days before or during transit to 
New Zealand.   
[NB: Cold treatment may be performed at temperatures 
lower than the set temperature range]  
 
7) MPI proposes to amend the IHS for fresh tabl e grapes from China to include the above measures to 
manage the  risk of D. suzukii , to align with MPI’s requirements for D. suzukii for other countries, and 
provide transparency across MPI-approved  table grape trade pathways .  
COMMODIT Y DESCRIPTION  
8) The com modity description “table grapes” for human consumption is defined as commercially 
produced grapes (berries) with pedicel and peduncle, but without tendrils, stems, leaves, roots or 
any other plant parts.    
TRADE   
9) No consignments of table grapes have been  imported from Chi na since the IHS was issued in 2010.  
CURRENT REQUIREMENTS  
10) The current options to manage the risk of Drosophila suzukii  on fresh table grapes from China are 
documented in the IHS 152.02: Importation and Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetab les into New 
Zealand  and in the Official Assurance Programme (OAP) . The options in the OAP  are: 
11) Pest Free Area or, Pest Free Place of Production  
12) Cold Disinfestation as specified to manage Bactrocera dorsalis (i.e. 0.99ºC or below for 17 days or, 
1.38ºC or below for 20 days)  
13) Fruit bagging as part of an integrated pest management programme (Fruit to be bagged from the 
time of fruit set and remain bagged until immediately prior to harvest)  
PROPOSED I HS REQUIREMENTS  
14) The following IHS amendments are proposed to  update options to manage  D. suzukii  on table 
grapes (Commodity Sub -Class: Fresh Fruit/ Vegetables) from China:  
  
5  
Table 2: DROSOPHILA SUZUKII  TREATMENT SPECIFICATIONS - GRAPES FROM CHINA  
TREATMENT  SPECIFICATION  
Pest Free Area  “In country” pest free area1 
Methyl Bromide Fumigation  40 g/m3 for 2 hrs at 15.5°C or greater  
SO 2/CO 2 Fumigation  
AND  
Cold Disinfestation  SO 2/CO 2 (1:6%) fumigation at the fruit core temperature of 16 
ºC or above for 30 minutes   AND  
The core temperature of the fruit to be held cont inuously at:  
[minus] -0.5ºC or below for 6 days.   
OR 
SO 2/CO 2 (1:6%) fumigation at the fruit core temperature of 16 
ºC or above for 30 minutes   AND  
The core temperature of the fruit to be held continuously at:  
0.9ºC o r below for 12 days.  
1 Xinjiang Provin ce is recognised as being free from D. suzukii  
NB: Only one of the above options is required to manage D. suzukii . However, where a treatment is required for Bactrocera 
dorsalis  (Oriental fruit fly) , then the treatment specification must be sufficient to m anage both pests.   
 
15) The Export Plan for table grapes from China will specify how each phytosanitary measure listed in 
Table 2 for D. suzukii will be implemented.  
16) If phytosanitary treatment is selected as the option to manage D. suzukii,  then full details  of the  
phytosanitary treatment must be included in the “Disinfestation and/or Disinfection Treatment” area 
of the phytosanitary certificate or as an endorsed attachment to the phytosanitary certificate. Details 
of the treatment duration, fumigant concentr ation and temperature must be recorded.  
17) For cold disinfestation completed in -transit; printouts of all temperature sensors or direct electronic 
downloads  must be made available to MPI at the port of arrival in New Zealand for final clearance of 
the consig nment.  
18) Consignments that do not meet MPI specifications are considered to be non -compliant by MPI and 
appropriate mitigation action will be taken.  
19) Trade  will be suspended if live/viable D. suzukii  are detected at the New Zealand border.  
 
Context  
DOMESTIC  
20) The New Zealand biosecurity system is regulated through the Biosecurity Act 1993. Section 22 of 
the Act describes the meaning of an IHS, and requires that the IHS specifies requirements to be 
met for the effective management of risks associated with import ing risk goods (including plants and 
plant products) into New Zealand.  6  Risk Management Proposal Drosophila suzukii  harmonisation of measures fresh table grapes  Ministry for Primary Industries  21) The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is the government authority responsible for the effective 
management of risks associated with the importation of risk goods into New Zealand (P art 3, 
Biosecurity Act 1993) . 
22) MPI engages with interested parties and/or affected New Zealand stakeholders, and the exporting 
country requesting market access, during the development of an IHS.  
23) MPI follows MPI policies and procedures for the development an d consultation of an IHS.  
INTERNATIONAL  
24) Where possible, phytosanitary measures are aligned with international standards, guidelines, and 
recommendations as per New Zealand’s obligations under Article 3.1 of the World Trade 
Organisation (WTO) Agreement on t he Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Mea sures (SPS 
Agreement) and  WTO 1995.  
25) The SPS Agreement states that phytosanitary measures must not discriminate unfairly between 
countries or between imported or domestically produced goods, and where there is  a choice of 
phytosanitary measures to reduce risk to an acceptable level, WTO members must select the least 
trade restrictive measure.  
26) For a phytosanitary measure to be non -discriminatory, WTO members (aka contracting parties) 
should, demonstrate that the  status of the relevant pest is the same and that they apply identical or 
equivalent phytosanitary measures. Contracting parties should also apply phytosanitary measures 
without discrimination between comparable domestic and international phytosanitary sit uations.    
27) Section 23(4)(c) of the Biosecurity Act 1993 requires that when developing a standard, MPI must be 
satisfied that the requirements proposed for inclusion in the IHS are consistent with New Zealand’s 
obligation under the SPS Agreement.   
Assessme nt 
ASSESSMENT OF RISK  
28) Previous MPI assessments have identified  Drosophila suzukii  as a pest of concern on fresh table 
grapes ( Vitis vinifera ) from China  (MPI, 2009, 2012a).  
ASSESSMENT OF RISK M ANAGEMENT  
29) The proposed phytosanitary measures for D. suzukii have previously been consulted by MPI on 
table grapes from the USA and Mexico pathways. This assessment has determined that the 
proposed phytosanitary measures are effective for managing the risk of D. suzukii on fresh table 
grapes (MPI, 2012b, 2012c, 2013).   
30) The proposed measures are accepted by Australia to manage the risk of D. suzukii  on fresh table 
grapes (BICON, 2020) including for grapes from China.  
31) No D. suzukii have been detected arriving in New Zealand on table grapes from countries where the 
propos ed measures are in place. This includes 47,000 tonnes of grapes imported into New Zealand 
from California, USA, since 2013.  
32) Fruit bagging will remain as part of an integrated pest management system to manage Conogethes 
punctiferalis , Guiganardia bidwellii , Lactrodectus mactans , Monilinia fructigena  and Tetranychus 
kanzawai  and thus is likely to reduce the prevalence of D. suzukii  in fruit prior to treatment.   
7 FEASABILITY AND PRAC TICALITY OF MEASURES  
33) China exports table grapes to Australia and undertakes the  same phytosanitary treatments as 
proposed in this document to manage the risk of D. suzukii. Thus, the proposed treatments are 
operationally feasible.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8  Risk Management Proposal Drosophila suzukii  harmonisation of measures fresh table grapes  Ministry for Primary Industries  References  
BICON,  Australia Biosecurity Import Conditions . Webpage: (Accessed May 2020)   
 
Biosecurity Act 1993. http://w ww.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0095/latest/DLM314623.html  
 
Minis try for Primary Industries (2009 ). Import Risk Analysi s: Table grapes ( Vitis vinifera ) from China . 
ISBN 978 -0-478-35726 -4 (online)  
 
Ministry for Primary Industries (2012 a). Pest Risk Assessment:  Drosophila suzukii : spotted wing 
drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) on fresh fruit from the USA. MPI Technical Pa per No: 
2012/05. ISBN: 978 -0-478-38861 -9 (online)  
 
Ministry for Primary Industries (2012 b). Risk Management Proposal: Amendment to importing 
requirements for fresh table grapes fr om the United States of America.  
 
Ministry for Primary Industries (2012 c). Risk Management Proposal:   
Measures for the import of table grapes (a host of Drosophila suzukii ) from the municipalities of  
Hermosillo and Caborca, Mexico.  
 
Ministry for Primary Industries  (2013). Risk Management Proposal: Equivalent phytosa nitary 
treatment  for Drosophila suzukii  associated w ith fresh table grapes from the United States of 
America  
 
Ministry for Primary Industries (2019).  Standard 152.02: Importation and clearance of fresh fruit 
and veget ables into New Zealand.    
 
WTO 1995. Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement , Full Text  online.