International trade

The presence of Queensland fruit fly in Victoria can affect how fresh produce is grown and/or treated prior to exporting overseas. Some of Australia's trading partners do not have Queensland fruit fly in their countries. Therefore, some host fruit and vegetables need to be treated to reduce the quarantine risk associated with this pest.

For some countries, there are trade protocols or other import conditions in place that describe these quarantine measures.

Useful resources

For more information about which Queensland fruit fly host product requires treatment or other quarantine measures, businesses are advised to visit the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website: www.agriculture.gov.au/export/controlled-goods/plants-plant-products.

Resources available on this webpage include:

• The Plant Export Operations Manual
  • Outlines requirements for exporting all plant products from Australia.

• The Manual of Importing Country Requirements
  • Lists the export requirements for specific Australian plant products. It is searchable by country or commodity.

• Export Industry Advice Notices
  • Provide updates on changing regulations, guidelines, protocols, policies or trade status with various importing countries. Industry groups may subscribe to receive email notifications, or access content on the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website.

Agriculture Victoria's international market access team

Agriculture Victoria has a market access team that works with Victorian fruit, vegetable, grain, seed and other industries to maintain, improve or expand their access into overseas markets. To achieve this, we work closely with the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, who take the lead in international technical market access negotiations.

Current activities include:

• Projects that improve the opportunity for export of Queensland fruit fly host produce: phytosanitary treatments, methods that are more favourable to fruit or vegetable quality, and new approaches that don't require chemical or cold treatment.

• Research and development in fruit fly diagnostics and detection.

• Hosting overseas delegations to showcase Victoria's exemplary production and biosecurity systems.

• Helping Victorian industries prepare for exports under new or improved trade protocols.

• Improving regulatory frameworks so exporting is less onerous and more streamlined.