Condition

Condition 18A - Mediterranean Fruit Fly: Post-harvest irradiation

The information within this Import Condition was current as of the date of printing: Tuesday, 5 November 2024.

New entry conditions or amendments may be implemented from time to time and are uploaded into the Plant Quarantine Manual.

It is recommended that you regularly check the http://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/pqm website for the most up to date import conditions.

Any host produce originating from an area covered by an Area Freedom Certificate declaring that the area from which the host material originated is known to be free of Mediterranean fruit fly may enter Victoria without restriction, otherwise the entry or importation of Mediterranean fruit fly host produce (MFF host list) into Victoria is prohibited unless certified that:

  1. in the case of fruits of plants approved under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Food Safety Code 1.5.3; be post‐ harvest irradiated, with a minimum absorbed dose of 150Gy; and
  2. be stored and transported in ‘secure conditions’ which prevent infestation by fruit fly, where
    1. secure conditions” includes‐
      1. unvented packages; or
      2. vented packages with the vents secured with gauze/mesh with a maximum aperture of 1.6 mm; or
      3. vented packages enclosing a liner bag or liner sheets that obscure vent holes; or
      4. fully enclosed under tarpaulins, hessian, shade cloth, mesh or other covering which provides a maximum aperture of 1.6 mm;
      5. shrink‐wrapped and sealed as a palletised unit; or
      6. fully enclosed or screened buildings, cold rooms, vehicles or other facilities free from gaps or other entry points greater than 1.6 mm; or
      7. in a manner compliant with specifications Guideline: Maintenance of phytosanitary security for horticulture exports found at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/controlled-goods/plants-plant-products/plantexportsmanual#phytosanitary-security, or
  3. enters Victoria in accordance with a permit issued by Agriculture Victoria. To apply for a permit visit the Plant biosecurity permit page.

Documentation requirement: PHC, PHAC under ICA‐ 55,  Plant Health Declaration or Permit.

Verification Requirement:

Host material imported into Victoria which is required by to be accompanied by a certificate or declaration, must be segregated from other stock and not repacked, sold or otherwise disposed of, until the whole consignment is –

(a) presented to an Inspector for inspection; or

(b) verified by a person accredited to do so by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.


Relevant Hosts / Commodities