The final review of import conditions for Brassicaceous vegetable seeds for sowing was published on the Department of Agriculture website on 12 September 2019 (G/SPS/N/AUS/445/Add.1).
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture (the department) is advising of the commencement of revised import conditions for Brassica rapa, Eruca vesicaria and Raphanus sativus seed for sowing.
1. From 5 December 2019, the following import conditions will be in place:
a) For Brassica rapa, seed must be treated with one of the following options:
- Treatment with a broad spectrum fungicide, such as Thiram®;
- Dry heat at 70 °C for 90 minutes;
- Hot water at 53 °C for 10 minutes;
- Hot water at 50 °C for 20 minutes;
b) For Eruca vesicaria and Raphanus sativus, seed must be treated with a broad spectrum fungicide, such as Thiram®.
2. General requirements
Treatments can occur either offshore prior to export to Australian territory, or on-arrival in Australian territory.
Phytosanitary certification is required to attest to any offshore treatments applied to seed lots prior to export. Where phytosanitary certification is not presented or accepted, consignments are subject to onshore treatment at a department's approved arrangement facility that is able to perform the required treatment, or export or disposal.
Seeds imported for sprouting or microgreen production do not require the additional management measures mentioned above. However, they must be germinated in an approved arrangement facility in Australia to ensure that the seeds are not directed for other uses.
3. Next steps
Australia is seeking to implement an additional option for
Eruca vesicaria and
Raphanus sativus. This option will permit seed to be subject to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for the presence of
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
raphani, once a validated protocol is available. The availability of PCR testing as an additional option for
Eruca vesicaria and
Raphanus sativus will be advised through another SPS addendum.
