G/SPS/N/AUS/475  
 
17 May 2019  
(19-3452) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member:  AUSTRALIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Department of Agriculture and Water Resources  
3. Products covered  (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable):  Onshore biosecurity requirements for nursery stock host genera 
susceptible to Ceratocystis  species, ex cluding tissue cultures, that are eligible for import 
into Australia  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document:  New import conditions for nursery stock host plants of 
pathogenic fungi Ceratocystis  spp. Language(s):  English . Number of pages:   
https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/BiconWeb4.0/ViewElement/Element/Alert?elementPk=1
004283  
6. Description of content:  The Australian Government has completed a review of exotic 
Ceratocystis  species, their potential impact and the risks posed by the nursery stock 
pathway. With the exception of a few native species infecting Eucalyptus , and one 
undescribed species infecting Syngonium , Australia is free from all other species of 
Ceratocystis . 
A review of the risk posed by the nursery stock pathway has concluded  that inspection 
alone of susceptible nursery stock host genera is insufficient to manage the risk of 
Ceratocystis  species. Therefore, new measures are implemented. Host genera of 
quarantine pest Ceratocystis  species will require 12 months of post -entry qu arantine 
growth in a closed government facility, with active testing by culturing (or equivalent) for 
species of Ceratocystis . 
The following genera are subject to these measures: Acacia , Actinidia , Alocasia , Annona , 
Arracacia , Betula , Brachystegia , Burkea , Carapa , Carya , Citrus , Coffea , Colocasia , 
Colophospermum , Combretum , Crotalaria , Cunninghamia , Dalbergia , Eriobotrya , 
Eucalyptus , Faurea , Ficus, Gmelina , Hevea , Ipomoea , Julbernadia , Mangifera , Manihot , 
Metrosideros , Ochna , Ozoroa, Parinari , Passiflora , Platanus , Populus , Protea , Prunus , 
Punica , Quercus , Rapanea , Schizolobium , Schotia , Spathodea , Styrax , Syzgygium , 
Terminalia , Theobroma , Tilia and Xanthosoma . 
This will apply to imports from all countries.   
As the majority of these host genera are low volu me imports that already require growth 
and testing in post entry quarantine, it is anticipated that there will be minimal impact to 
trade. Tissue cultures and seed are excluded from these measures as they are deemed 
to be a low risk pathway for these fungi . G/SPS/N/AUS/475  
 
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  7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [X]  plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   
8. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[X] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) : ISPM N° 8 
and 10  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
9. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:    
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 31 May 2019  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 31 May 2019  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : 31 May 2019  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [X]  Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 16 July 2019  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [  ] National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address 
(if available) of other body:   
The Australian SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au  
13. Text(s) available from: [  ] National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
The Australian SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au