Import of Red imported fire ant host materials

RIFA Quarantine Zones

RIFA interstate plant quarantine zone in QLD

From 1 December 2023, Queensland’s fire ant biosecurity zones were adjusted to align with the interstate plant quarantine (IPQ) zone and will be updated as required. The adjusted zone includes some new areas including Scenic Rim, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, Lockyer Valley and Brisbane local government areas.

An updated map is available at fireants.org.au.

RIFA Restricted Movement Control Area in NSW

There has been another RIFA detection in NSW, at Wardell, south of Ballina, on 19 January 2024, which is in addition to the detection at South Murwillumbah on 24 November 2023. All nests have been treated with liquid insecticide, together with comprehensive broadscale treatment and surveillance regimes being implemented to ensure any residual nests are also destroyed.

NSW has enacted an emergency order and established a restricted movement control area (5 km radius around detections) that requires treatments to be applied to RIFA carriers prior to movement from the zone.

More advice from Department if Primary Industries can be found on Red imported fire ants and stopping their spread in NSW.

Victorian Entry Conditions for RIFA

RIFA host material originating from the quarantine zones described above may only enter Victoria if the following conditions are met.

For interstate exporters

RIFA host material from the quarantine zones may enter Victoria if the consignment:

• Is sent from a property that has:
  • been regularly inspected and found to be free of fire ants; or
  • applied approved control methods to prevent the establishment or spread of fire ants.

AND

• Is accompanied by one of the following certificates to certify or declare that the material has been treated in a manner that meets Victoria’s importation requirements for RIFA:
  • a Plant Health Certificate (PHC) stating compliance with the relevant treatment requirements under Condition 36 of the Victorian Plant Quarantine Manual; or
  • a Plant Health Assurance Certificate (PHAC) stating “meets ICA-39” and including the treatment; or
  • a Biosecure HACCP Biosecurity Certificate (BHBC) stating compliance with ECCPRIFA28 and including the treatment; or
  • a BHBC stating compliance with ECCPRIFA21.

AND

• A copy of the certification is forwarded to market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au prior to dispatch.

For Victorian importers

All Victorian businesses receiving consignments of RIFA host material from the quarantine zones must:

• Arrange for an Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Officer to verify the consignment on arrival (fees apply) via 1800 878 962.

OR

• Be accredited under a compliance agreement CA-17 and ensure each consignment is accompanied by a:
  • PHAC stating “meets ICA-39” and including the treatment; or
  • PHC stating compliance with the relevant treatment requirements under Condition 36 of the Victorian Plant Quarantine Manual; or
  • BHBC stating ECCPRIFA28 and including the treatment; or
  • BHBC stating ECCPRIFA21.

If these requirements have not been met, please contact your local Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Officer for guidance.

Further information

Please contact Agriculture Victoria on 1800 878 962 or email the Region relevant for service delivery:

• Southeast Region: plant.standards@agriculture.vic.gov.au
• Southwest Region: plant.southwest@agriculture.vic.gov.au
• Northern Region: plant.quarantine@agriculture.vic.gov.au

For further information on this Biosecurity Update please email market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Printable copy

Please download a copy of this notice for printing:

• Biosecurity Update: Import of RIFA host materials (PDF - 156KB)
• Biosecurity Update: Import of RIFA host materials (Word - 144KB)