Extension of nectarine import risk 
analysis to peaches, plums and apricots 
from China  
Draft  review  of biosecurity import requirements  
August  2017  
 
 
 
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Cataloguing data  
Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources 201 7, Extension of Nectarine risk analysis to 
peaches, plums and apricots from China  - Draft review of biosecurity import requirements .  Department of Agriculture 
and Water Resources, Canberra.  
This publication is available at agriculture.gov.au
. 
Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources  
GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601  
Switchboard:  +61 2 6272 3933 or 1800 900 090  
Facsimile:  +61 2 6272 3307  
Email:  plant@agriculture.gov.au  
Liability  
The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture and  Water Resources has exercised due 
care and skill in preparing and compiling the information in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, 
including liability for negligence and for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of 
accessing, using or relying upon any of the information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted 
by law.  
Stakeholde r submissions on draft reports  
This draft report has been issued to give all interested parties an opportunity to comment on relevant technical biosecurity issues, with supporting rationale. A final report will then be produced taking into consideration an y 
comments received.  
Submissions should be sent to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources following the conditions specified within the related Biosecurity Advice, which is available at: agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk -analysis/memos
  
 
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  ii Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Contents  
Contents  
Acronyms and abbreviations  ....................................................................................................................................iv  
Summary  ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 
1 Introduction  ................................................................................................................................................................ 7 
1.1 Australia’s biosecurity policy framework  ......................................................................................... 7 
1.2 This review of biosecurity import requirements  .......................................................................... 7 
2 Pest risk assessments for quarantine pests  .......................................................................................... 10 
2.1 Mealybug  ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 
3 Pest risk management ........................................................................................................................................ 13 
3.1 Pest risk management measures and phytosanitary procedures  ....................................... 13 
3.2 Operational system fo r the maintenance and verification of phytosanitary status  .... 16 
3.3 Review of policy  ........................................................................................................................................ 16 
3.4 Meeting Australia’s food laws  ............................................................................................................. 16 
4 Conclusion  .................................................................................................................................................................  17 
Appendix A: Categorisation of Phenacoccus aceris  with fresh stone fruit from China  .......... 18 
References  .......................................................................................................................................................................... 19 
Tables  
Table 3.1 Risk management measures proposed for quarantine pests for fresh nectarines, 
peaches, plums and apricots from China  ................................................................................................................ 15 
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  iii Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Acronyms and abbreviations  
Acronyms and abbreviations  
Term or abbreviation  Definition  
ACT  Australian Capital Territory  
ALOP  Appropriate level of protection  
AQSIQ  General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the 
People’s Republic of China (formerly CIQSA)  
BIRA  Biosecurity import risk analysis  
CIQ China Entry -Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau  
CIQSA  State Administration for Entry -Exit Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s 
Republic of China (now AQSIQ)  
EP Existing policy  
FAO  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  
IPPC  International Plant Protection Convention  
ISPM  International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures  
USA  The United States of America  
WTO  World Trade Organization  
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  iv Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Summary  
Summary  
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) 
has prepared this draft report to assess the biosecurity risk associated with the import of fresh 
peaches  (Prunus persica ), plums  (Prunus salicina  and Prunus  domestica ) and apricots ( Prunus 
armeniaca ) from China into Australia.  
Australia permits the impor tation of fresh stone fruit (nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots) 
from the USA (California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington) and New Zealand, for human 
consumption, provided they meet Australian biosecurity requirements. Australia also permits 
the importa tion of fresh nectarines from China. The import of stone fruit under the import 
conditions recommended in these risk analyses  has occurred, including nectarines from China.  
The department has conducted a risk analysis for nectarines from China and the Fina l report for 
the non -regulated analysis of existing policy for fresh nectarine fruit from China (Final Report for 
Chinese Nectarines) was released in April 2016. The department proposes to extend the import 
policy for nectarines from China to include other  stone fruit  (peaches, plums and apricots ) from 
China.  This risk analysis builds on the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines.  
The department  recognises the similarity of other stone fruit (apricot, peach and plum) to 
nectarine, as all stone fruit species be long to the same genus – Prunus.  The pests associated with 
Chinese nectarines are closely aligned with the pests associated with these other stone fruit . 
Peaches, plums and apricots are grown in the same production areas as nectarines. Additionally, the co mmercial production practices, packinghouse operational procedures and government 
phytosanitary processes for the production of nectarines are very similar to these other stone 
fruit . Therefore, the biosecurity risk associated with Chinese nectarines is co nsidered to present 
a very similar risk to those of the additional stone fruit .  
The department  has prepared this draft report after reviewing the assessment of the pests 
associated with Chinese nectarines, the pests associated with the other stone fruit  (peaches, 
plums and apricots) and the latest literature. The review has identified that the pests of 
quarantine concern for Chinese nectarines are the same as the pests of quarantine concern for 
the other stone fruit . 
The Final Report for Chinese Nectarines  identified 19 pests as requiring phytosanitary measures 
to reduce the level of biosecurity risk to an acceptable level. All 19 pests were also identified as 
pests of quarantine concern for peaches, plums and apricots. The 19 pests identified as requiring 
risk management measures are Amphitetranychus viennensis  (hawthorn spider mite), 
Pseudococcus comstocki  (comstock mealybug), Frankliniella intonsa  (Eurasian flower thrips), 
Frankliniella occidentalis  (western flower thrips), Bactrocera correcta  (guava fruit fly), 
Bactrocera dorsalis  (Oriental fruit fly), Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing drosophila), Adoxophyes 
orana  (summerfruit tortrix), Argyrotaenia ljungiana  (grape tortrix), Carposina sasakii  (peach 
fruit moth), Grapholita funebrana  (plum fru it moth), Grapholita molesta  (Oriental fruit moth), 
Spilonota albicana  (white fruit moth), Anarsia lineatella  (peach twig borer), Monilinia fructigena  
(brown rot), Monilia mumecola  (brown rot), Monilia polystroma  (brown rot), Monilinia 
yunnanensis (brown rot) and Plum pox virus.  
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  5 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Summary  
This review identified an additional mealybug species, Phenacoccus aceris  (apple mealybug), 
that was not assessed in the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines, as being a quarantine pest for 
the three stone fruit . The review found that Phenacoccus aceris  is also associ ated with nectarine 
fruit, and therefore should be considered to be a quarantine pest for all stone fruit , including 
nectarines.  The Final Report for Chinese Nectarines recommended measures for mealybugs and 
these measures are also proposed for this additional mealybug. Phenacoccus aceris  has also been 
assessed in USA stone fruit and China apples and recommended measures proposed are the 
same as recommended in those risk analyses.  
Given that the quarantine pests for these other stone fruit  and Chinese nectarines are the same, 
the measures recommended for the importation of Chinese nectarines are also proposed for Chinese peaches, plums and apricots. The proposed measures include:  
• visual inspection and remedial action for leaf rollers, mealybugs, spider mite and thrips  
• area freedom or fruit treatment (cold disinfestation or irradiation) for fruit flies  
• area freedom or fruit treatment (methyl bromide fumigation or irradiation) or a systems 
approach approved by the department  for spotted wing drosophila  
• area freedom or area of low pest prevalence or fruit treatment (methyl bromide fumigation 
or irradiation) or a systems approach approved by the department for fruit borers  
• area freedom or area of low pest prevalence or alternat ive equivalent measures approved by 
the department for brown rots  
• area freedom or systems approach approved by the department for plum pox virus.  
This draft report has been published on the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources 
website to allow interested parties to provide comments and submission within the consultation 
period.  
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  6 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Introduction 
1 Introduction 
1.1 Australia’s biosecurity policy framework  
Australia’s biosec urity policies aim to protect Australia against the risks that may arise from 
exotic pests entering, establishing and spreading in Australia, thereby threatening Australia's 
unique flora and fauna, as well as those agricultural industries that are relative ly free from 
serious pests.  
The risk analysis process is an important part of Australia’s biosecurity policies. It enables the 
Australian Government to formally consider the risks that could be associated with importing  
new products into Australia. If the biosecurity risks do not achieve the appropriate level of 
protection (ALOP)  for Australia , risk management measures are proposed to reduce the risk s to 
an acceptable level. I f the risks cannot be mitigated to an acceptable level, the goods will not be 
imported into Australia until suitable measures are identified.  
Successive Australian G overnments have maintained a stringent, but not a zero risk, approach to 
the management of biosecurity risks. This is expressed in terms of the ALOP for Australia, whic h 
is defined in the Biosecurity Act 2015 as providing a high level of protection aimed at reducing 
risk to a very low level, but not to zero. 
Australia’s risk analyses are undertaken by the department  using technical and scientific experts 
in relevant field s, and involve consultation with stakeholders at various stages during the 
process.  
Risk analyses may take the form of a  biosecurity import risk analysis ( BIRA), a review of 
biosecurity import requirements , or other  non- regulated risk analys es such as pest -specific 
assessments, weed risk assessments and biological control agent assessments . 
Further information about Australia’s biosecurity framework is provided in the Biosecurity 
Import Risk Analysis Guidelines 201 6, available  on the  Department of Agriculture and Water 
Resources website . 
1.2 This review of biosecurity import requirements  
1.2.1 Background  
The biosecurity agency in China, the General Administration of Quality Supervision , Inspect ion 
and Quara ntine of the People’s Republic of China  (AQSIQ)  initially requested market access for 
fresh peach fruit from Shandong province to Australia in 2001 (CIQSA 2001) . In 2006, AQSIQ 
extended this market access request to include peaches  (Prunus persica ), plums ( Prunus salicina  
and Prunus  domestica ) and apricots ( Prunus armeniaca ) from all of  China (AQSIQ 2006) . 
In September 2014, both Australia and China agreed to work on each other’s top s tone  fruit 
priority and AQSIQ confirmed that nectarine fruit wa s China’s  top s tone  fruit  priority.  
Australia finalise d import conditions for fresh nectarines from China in May 2016 , following the 
release of  the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines  in April 2016 (Australian Government 
Department of Agricultu re and Water Resources 2016) . Trade successfully commenced in July 
2016.  
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  7 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Introduction 
Australia and China agreed to progress mutual access for other stone fruit  (peaches, plums and 
apricots) in May 2016 and re -affirmed this commitment in June 2017.  
The department  recognises the similarity of other stone fruit  (apricot, peach and plum) to 
nectarine as all stone fruit species belong to the same genus – Prunus.  In China, peaches, plums 
and apricots are grown in the same regions as nectarines. The production systems , packing 
house  practices and phytosanitary processes are very similar to those used for nectarines. In 
addition, the pest profile s of nectarines and other stone fruit  (peaches, plums and apricots)  are 
very similar . Therefore, the Final Report for Chinese Nec tarines  forms the basis of import 
conditions for these very similar commodities from China.  This position was discussed in section 
1.2.3 of the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines .  
Since Australia has recently developed import conditions for Chinese  nectarines, the department 
considers it appropriate to conduct this review of import requirements  as an extension of policy 
to other stone fruit  (peach, plum and apricot) . This report should be read in conjunction with the 
Final Report for Chinese Nectarines . 
1.2.2 Scope  
The scope of this review  is to consider the biosecurity risks that may be associated with the 
importation of commercially -produced fresh peach, plum and apricot  fruit from China fo r 
human consumption. In this report, peaches, plums and apricots are defined as individual fruits, 
which may include a small amount of attached fruit stalk  and calyces , but not other plant parts 
such as leaves.   
In addition , if any pests are i dentified during this review, they will also be assessed as to 
whether they are associated with fresh nectarines  from China.  
1.2.3 Existing policy  
International policy  
Australia permits the importation of fresh stone  fruit (nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots) 
from the USA (California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington) and New Zealand. Australia also 
permits the importation of fresh nectarines from China. The import of stone fruit under the 
import conditions recommended in these risk analyses  has occurred, including of nectarines 
from China.  Import requirements  also exist for apples, table grapes, pears and lychees and 
longans from China.  The import requirements for these commodities for human consumption 
from these cou ntries can be found in the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) 
database on the department's website . 
The department has considered the pests previously identified in existing poli cies and, where 
relevant, the information in those assessments has been taken into account in this risk analysis. 
The department has also reviewed the latest literature to ensure that information in previous 
assessments is still valid.  
Domestic arrangement s 
The Commonwealth Government is responsible for regulating the movement of plants and plant 
products into and out of Australia. However, the state and territory governments are responsible 
for plant health controls within their individual jurisdiction s. Legislation relating to resource 
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  8 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Introduction 
management or plant health may be used by state and territory government agencies to control 
interstate movement of plants and their products. Once plant and plant products have been 
cleared by Australian biosecurity officer s, they may be subject to interstate movement 
conditions. It is the importer’s responsibility to identify, and ensure compliance with all 
requirements.  
1.2.4 Contaminating pests  
This draft report assesses pests with a known association with commercial peach, plu m and 
apricot fruit  grown in China . However, other organisms may unintentionally be imported with 
these fruits. These organisms are considered to be contaminating pests that could pose human 
health  and phytosanitary risks . These risks are identified and ad dressed using existing 
operational procedures that require a 600 unit inspection of all consignments, or equivalent. The 
department will investigate if any pest detected in an imported consignment is of quarantine 
concern to Australia and require s remedial  action.  
1.2.5 Consultation  
The department stated in the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines  (see section 1.2.3) , that the 
assessment for nectarines is likely to form the basis of import requirements for similar risk commodities includ ing peaches, plums and apri cots . The stone fruit industry in Australia has 
been consulted and is supportive of this approach.  
The department has consulted with the relevant state and territory governments and the  stone  
fruit industry  in Australia about the department’s progress on mutual market access for 
additional Australian and Chinese stone  fruit commodities  (peaches, plums and apricots).  
1.2.6 Next Steps  
This draft report gives stakeholders an opportunity to comment and draw attention to any 
scientific, technical, or other gaps in the data, or misinterpretations or errors.  
The department will consider submissions received on the draft report and may consult 
informally with stakeholders. The department will then prepare a final report, taking into 
account stakeholder comments.  
The final report will be published on the department’s website together  with a notice advising 
stakeholders of the release. The department will also notify the proposer, the registered 
stakeholders and the WTO Secretariat of the release of the final report. Publication of the final 
report represents the end of the risk analysis process. The recommendations made in the final 
report will be the basis of any biosecurity import conditions.  
 
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  9 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Pest risk assessments  
2 Pest risk assessments for quarantine pests 
The department has  conducted a review of the import requirements for fresh Chinese nectarines 
and the latest literature. The review identifie d 20 pests that require risk management  measures 
to reduce the risk associated with stone fruit from China to a very low level in order to achieve 
the ALOP  for Australia . Among these 20 pes ts, 19 were ident ified as quara ntine pests of 
nectarines in the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines . 
The department recognises the similarity of other stone fruit (apricot, peach and plum) to 
nectarine fruit and th e similarity of production areas, commercial production systems and 
production practices used for nectarine and other stone  fruit (apricot, peach and plum) in China. 
Therefore, the identified quarantine pests do not present a significantly different risk t o that 
assessed in the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines . Further risk assessment s for these 
quarantine pests are not required  for the se other stone fruit s, and th e outcome of the 
assessment s in the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines  will be  adopted  for Chinese peaches, 
plums and apricots .  
The review identified  one additional pest, Phenacoccus aceris  (apple mealybug)  that was not 
assessed in the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines , as a quarantine pest for peaches, plums and 
apricots  (Appendix A) . Phenacoccus aceris  is assessed  further in section 2.1  of this report . 
 
 
Australian G overnment Department of Agriculture and Water Resources   10 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Pest risk assessments  
2.1 Mealybug  
Phenococcus aceris   
Phenococcus aceris  has previously been assessed in the risk analyses for fresh stone  fruit 
(nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots) from the USA (California, Idaho, Oregon and 
Washington ) (Biosecurity Australia 2010b)  and apples from China (Biosecurity Australia 
2010a) .  
In both these assessments,  Pheno coccus aceris was asse ssed together with another mealybug 
species, Pseudococcus comstocki , as the biology and taxonomy  of Pheno coccus aceris and 
Pseud ococcus comstocki  were consi dered sufficiently similar to justify combining them in to a 
single assessment.  Although Pheno coccus aceris  was not assess ed in the Final Report for Chinese 
Nectarines , Pseudococcus comstocki  was . In these previous assessments, the unrestricted risk 
estimate for Pheno coccus aceris  and Pseudococcus comstocki  were assessed as ‘ low’ which does 
not ac hieve the approp riate level of protect ion (ALOP)  for Australia. Therefore, risk 
management measures are required.  
The department has rev iewed the literature available since the previous assessments  and found 
that the likelihoods of importation, distribution, establishment and spread, and the potential 
consequences are unlikely to significantly differ from the previous assessment s, so t he 
department considers that reassessment of Pheno coccus aceris  is not required. The outcome of 
the previous assessment s will therefore be adopted  for peaches, plums and apricots . As part of 
this review, t he department has identified  that Phenococcus aceris has a broad host range and 
may  also be associated with fresh nectarine fruit (Appendix A) . Therefore the outcome of 
previous assessments for Phenococcus aceris  will also be adopted for Chinese nectarines . 
The likelihood estimates for the entry, establishme nt and spread for Phenococcus aceris  are 
based on the asses sment for stone fruit from the USA (California, Idaho, Oregon and 
Washington) (Biosecurity Australia 2010b)  and apples from China (Biosecurity Australia 
2010a) , and the assessment of Pseudococcus comstocki  from China nectarines  (Australian 
Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources 2016) .  The ratings from these 
previous asse ssments are presented below . 
Likelihood of entry, establishment and spread  
Likelihood of importation: High  
Likelihood of distribution:  Moderate  
Overall likelihood of entry:  Moderate  
Likelihood of establishment:  High  
Likelihood of spread:   High  
Overall likelihood of entry, establishment and spread  
The overall likelihood of entry, establishment and spread is determined by  combining the 
likelihood s of entry, of establishment,  and of spread using the matrix of rules shown in Table 2.2 
of the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines .  
Australian G overnment Department of Agriculture and Water Resources   11 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Pest risk assessments  
The likelihood that Phen ococcus aceris will enter Australia as a result of trade in nectarines, 
peaches, plums and apricots from China, be distributed in a viable state to a susceptible host, 
establish in Australia and subsequently spread within Australia has been assessed as: Moderate .  
Consequences  
Unless there is new informat ion to suggest otherwi se, the consequences  a pest may cause will be 
the same for any commodity/country with from which the pest  is imported. According ly there is 
no need to re- assess this component , and the risk ratings given in previous assess ment s will be 
adopted . The consequences of the establ ishment of Phen ococcus aceris in Australia have been 
estimated previously from  stone fruit from the USA (California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington) 
(Biosecurity Australia 2010b)  and apples from China (Biosecurity Australia 2010a) . The overall 
consequences for Phen ococcus aceris  have been estimated to be Low .  
Unrest ricted risk outcome  
Unrestricted risk is the result of combining the likelihood of entry, establishment and spread 
with the estimate of consequences. Likelihoods and consequences are combined using the risk 
estimation matrix shown in Table 2.5  of the Final  Report for Chinese Nectarines .  
The unrestricted risk for Phen ococcus aceris  for nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots from  
China  has been assessed as ‘low’, which does not achieve the ALOP  for Australia . Therefore, 
specific risk management measures are required for th is pest . 
 
Australian G overnment Department of Agriculture and Water Resources   12 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Pest  ri sk management  
3 Pest risk management  
This chapter provides information on the management of quarantine pests identified with an 
unrestricted risk level that does not achieve the ALOP  for Australia . A summary of the proposed  
risk management measures adopted from the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines  is provided  in 
this chapter . Full details can be found in C hapter 5 of the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines . 
3.1 Pest risk management measures and phytosanitary procedures  
Pest risk management evaluates and selects options for measures to reduce the risk of entry, 
establishment or spread of quarantine pests that have been assessed to have an unrestricted 
risk level that does not achieve the ALOP for Australia. In calculating the unrestricted risk, 
existing commercial production practices in China have been considered, as have post -harvest 
procedures and the packing of fruit.  
In addition to China’s existing commercial production systems and packing house operations for 
nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots  and minimum border procedures in Australia, specific 
pest risk management measures, including operational systems, are proposed  to achieve  the 
ALOP for Australia.  
In this chapter, the department  has identified ri sk management measures that may be applied to 
consignments of nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots sourced from China. Finalisation of the 
import conditions may be undertaken  with input from the Australian states and territories as 
appropriate.  
3.1.1 Pest risk management for quarantine pests  
This review  identified 20 pests listed in Table 3.1 as having an unrestricted risk that does not 
achieve the ALOP for Australia. Therefore, risk management measures are required to manage 
the risks posed by these pests .  
Among these 20 pests , 19 are the same as those identified in  the Final Report for Chinese 
Nectarines . Therefore, the same risk management measures for these pests are proposed for 
peaches, plums and apricots . Detailed risk management measures for these 19 pests can be 
found in section 5 of the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines , which is available on the 
department ’s website.  
For the additional pest, Phenacoccus aceris  (apple mealybug), the same risk man agement 
measures recommended for Pseudococcus comstocki  in the  Final Report for Chinese Nectarines  
are proposed . Similarly, nectarine fruit will now require measures for Phenacoccus aceris  (apple 
mealybug). The measure s recommended in the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines  are 
considered to reduce the likel ihood of entry of this pest  to at least ‘low’. The restricted risk for 
Phenacoccus aceris  on peaches, plums, apricots and nectarines would then be reduced to at least 
‘very low’, which would achieve Australia’s ALOP . 
3.1.2 Consideration of alternative measures  
Consistent with the principle of equivalence detailed in ISPM 11: Pest risk analysis for quarantine 
pests  (FAO 2013) , the department  will consider any alternative measure proposed by AQSIQ , 
providing that it manages the target pest to achieve the ALOP for Australia. Evaluation of such 
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  13 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Pest  ri sk management  
measures will require a technical submission from AQSIQ  that details the proposed measures  
includ ing suitable information to suppor t the claimed efficacy.  
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  14 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Pest  ri sk management  
Table 3. 1 Risk management measures proposed for quarantine pests for fresh nectarines, peaches, 
plums and apricots from China  
Pest  Common name  Measures  
Amphitetranychus viennensis  (EP)  
Pseudococcus comstocki  (EP)   
Phenacoccus aceris (EP)  
Frankliniella intonsa (EP)  
Frankliniella occidentalis (EP, NT)  
Adoxophyes orana (EP)  
Argyrotaenia ljungiana  (EP)  
Spilonota albicana (EP)  hawthorn spider mite  
comstock mealybug  
apple mealybug  
Eurasian flower thrips  
western flower thrips  
summerfruit tortrix  
grape tortrix  
white fruit moth  Visual inspection and if detected, remedial 
action b (for example methyl bromide 
fumigation)  
Bactrocera correcta  (EP)  
Bactrocera dorsalis  (EP)  guava fruit fly  
Oriental fruit fly  Area freedom a 
OR 
Cold disinfestation treatment  
OR 
Irradiation  
Drosophila suzukii  (EP) spotted wing drosophila 
(SWD)  Area freedom a 
OR 
Methyl bromide fumigation  
OR 
Irradiation  
OR 
A systems approach proposed by China and 
approved by the department  
Anarsia lineatella (EP)  
Carposina sasakii (EP)  
Grapholita funebrana  (EP)  
Grapholita molesta (EP, WA)  
 peach twig borer  
peach fruit borer  
plum fruit moth 
Oriental fruit moth  
 Area freedom a 
OR 
Areas of low pest prevalence  
OR 
Methyl bromide fumigation  
OR 
Irradiation  
OR 
Systems approach:  
Orchard surveillance and control  
Fruit cutting  
Quarantine inspection and if detected, 
remedial action b (for example methyl 
bromide fumigation)  
Monilinia fructigena (EP)  
Monilia mumecola  (EP)  
Monilia polystroma  (EP)  
Monilinia yunnanensis  (EP)  brown rot  Area freedom a 
OR 
Areas of low pest prevalence OR 
Alternative equivalent measures proposed by 
China and approved by the department  
Plum pox virus (EP)  PPV  Area freedom a 
OR 
A systems approach proposed by China and 
approved by the department  
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  15 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Pest  ri sk management  
a Area freedom may include pest free areas, or pest free places of production sites. b  Remedial action (depending on the 
location of the inspection) may include treatment of the consignment to ensure that the pest is no longer viable or 
withdrawing the consignment from export to Australia. EP (existing policy) pests that have previously bee n assessed by 
Aus tra lia a nd for which policy already exist s. NT pests of quarantine concern for Northern Terri tory. WA pests of quarantine 
concern for Western Australia.  
3.2 Operational system for the maintenance and verification of 
phytosanitary status 
A system of operational procedures is necessary to maintain and verify the phytosanitary status 
of nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots from China . This is to ensure that the recommended  
risk management measures have been met and are maintained.   
Operat ional procedures recommended in section 5.2 in the Final Report for Chinese Nectarines  
will also apply to peaches, plums and apricots . 
3.3 Review of policy  
The department will review the import policy after the first year of trade. In addition, the 
department reserves the right to review the import policy as deemed necessary, for example, 
such as when there is reason to believe that the pest or phytosanitary status in China has 
changed.  
3.4 Meeting Australia’s food laws  
Imported food for human consumption must comp ly with the requirements of the Imported 
Food Control Act 1992 , as well as Australian state and territory food laws. Among other things, 
these laws require all food, including imported food, to meet the standards set out in the 
Australia New Zealand Food S tandards Code (the Code).  
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources administers the 
Imported Food Control Act 1992 . This legislation provides for the inspection and control of 
imported food using a risk-based border inspection program, the Imported Food Inspection 
Scheme . More information on this inspection scheme, including the testing of imported food, is 
available from the department’s  website . 
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is responsible for developing and maintaining the Code, including Standard 1.4.2 for agricultural and veterinary  chemicals. This standard is 
available on the Federal Register of Legislation  or through the  FSANZ website
.  
Standard 1.4.2 and Schedules 20 and 21 of the Code set out the maximum residue limits (MRLs) 
and extraneous residue limits (ERLs)  for agricultural or veterinary chemicals that are permitted 
in food, including imported food.  
Standard 1.1.1 of the Code specifies that a food must not contain, as an ingredient or a 
component, a detectable amount of an ag ricultural or veterinary  chemical or a metabolite or a 
degradation product of an  agricultural or veterinary  chemical , unless expressly permitted by th e 
Code .  
If irradiation is used as a phytosanitary measure, the permitted dose range should be a 
minimum dose of 150  gray and a maximum of 1000  gray. Irradiated produce must be labelled.  
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  16 Extension o f nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Conclusion  
4 Conclusion  
The findings of this Extension of n ectarine import risk analysis to p eaches, plums and a pricots 
from China – Draft review of biosecurity import requirements  builds on the comprehensive 
scientific analysis of relevant literature  and the Final report for the  non- regulated analysis of 
existing policy for fresh nectarine fruit from China.  
The department  considers that the risk management measures proposed in this draft report will 
provide an appropriate level of protection against pests identified as associated with the trade of 
fresh nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots from China.    
 
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  17 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  Appendix A  
 
Appendix A : Categorisation of Phenacoccus aceris  with  fresh stone fruit from China  
Pest  Present in  China  Present within 
Australia  Potential to be on pathway  Potential for 
establishment and 
spread Potential for economic consequences  Pest risk 
assessment 
required 
HEMIPTERA  
Phenacoccus aceris  (Signoret, 
1875)  
[Pseudococcidae]  
Apple mealybug  Yes (Raine, 
McMullen & Forbes 
1986; Wu 2000)  No records found   
 Yes. Nymphs feed on 
fruit and bark (MAL 
2007)  on a wide range of 
hosts including stone 
fruit  such as nectarines, 
peaches, plums and 
apricots  (Beers 2007; 
García et al. 2015; 
Kaydan, Kilinçer & 
Kondo 2015; Trencheva & Tomov 2014) .  
 Yes. Phenacoccus aceris  
attacks more than 100 
host plants, some of which include apples, 
citrus, pears, stone 
fruit , cherries, pine 
trees, potato, hibiscus, 
rose, banana, catalpa, 
mulberry, honeysuckle, 
camellia and rhododendron (García 
et al. 2015; Kaydan, 
Kilinçer & Kondo 2015; 
Trencheva & Tomov 2014)  and many of 
these hosts are present in Australia.  
Phenacoccus aceris  
occurs in many pa rts of 
Asia, Europe, Africa and 
North and South America, indicating 
parts of the Australian 
environment would be 
suitable for its 
establishment.  Yes. This species is 
known to vector little 
cherry disease (little 
cherry closterovirus) 
(Mekuria, Zhang & 
Eastwell 2014; Raine, McMullen & Forbes 
1986; Sforza, Boudon -
Padieu & Greif 2003)  
which is present in 
Australia (IPPC 2015) . 
Little cherry virus 2 (LChV2) (genus Ampelovirus ) is the 
primary causal agent of little cherry disease in sweet cherry in 
North America and 
other parts of the world. Infected trees 
produce poor quality 
fruit tha t unevenly 
ripen (IPPC 2015; 
Mekuria, Zhang & 
Eastwell 2014) . Yes (EP)   
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  18 Extension of nectarine risk analysis to peaches, plums and apricots  References  
References  
AQSIQ 2006, Export technical reference information for Chinese stone fruit: pests and diseases associated with summerfruit 
(apricot, plum) in China, The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China, Beijing.  
Australian Government Dep artment of Agriculture and Water Resources 2016, Final report for the non- regulated analysis of 
existing policy for fresh nectarine fruit from China, Aus tra lian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, 
Canberra, available at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk -analysis/memos/ba2016 -11
. 
Beers, EH 2007, Apple mealybug, Orchard Pest Management Online, Washington State University, available at http://jenny.tfrec.wsu.edu/opm/displaySpecies.php?pn=135
. 
Biosecurity Australia 2010a, Final import risk analysis report for fresh apple fruit from the People's Republic of China, Biosec urity Australia, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra, available at 
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk -analysis/plant/apples -china
. 
-- -- 2010b, Final import risk analysis report for fresh stone fruit from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, Bi osecurity 
Australia, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra, available at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk -analysis/plant/stonefruit -usa
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CIQSA 2001, Report on exportation of China peach to Australia (Shandong province) , State Administration for Entry -Exit 
Inspection and Quarantine of People's Republic of China, Beijing.  
FAO 2013, International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) no. 11: Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests , Food 
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setting/ispms/ . 
García, M, Denno, B, Miller, DR , Miller, GL, Ben -Dov, Y & Ha rdy, NB 2015, ‘Sca l eNet: a  literature -based model of scale insect 
biology and systematics’, available at http://scalenet.info , accessed 2016.  
IPPC 2015, Little cherry virus 2 in Australia , International Plant Protection Convention, available at 
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Kaydan, MB, Kilinçer, AN & Kondo, T 2015, ‘Descriptions of all female stages of the maple mealybug, Phenacoccus aceris 
(Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), with notes on its biology’, Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae , vol.  
61, no. 3, pp. 255- 77. 
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available at http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/tfipm/lcv.htm . 
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tra ns cription -recombinase polymerase ampliﬁcation’, Journal of Virological Methods , vol. 206, pp. 24- 30. 
Raine, J, McMullen, RD & Forbes, AR 1986, ‘Transmission of the agent causing little cherry disease by the apple mealy bug Phenacoccus aceris  and the dooder Cuscuta lupuliformis ’, Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology , vol. 8, pp. 6 -11. 
Sforza, R, Boudon -Padieu, E & Greif, C 2003, ‘New mealybug species vectoring Grapevine leafroll associated viruses -1 and - 3 
(GLRaV -1 and - 3)’, European Journal of Plant Pathology , vol. 109, pp. 975- 81. 
Trencheva, K & Tomov, R 2014, ‘Checklist of scale inse cts in Bulgaria (Hemiptera: Coccoidea)’, Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, vol . 
S6, pp. 65- 72. 
Wu, S 2000, ‘A taxonomic review of the genus Phenococcus Cockerell from China (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae)’ 
(in Chinese), Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica, vol. 25, n o. 1, pp. 59- 72. 
 
Australian Governmen t Departmen t of Agri cul ture and Water Resources  19