WASHINGTON: Fresh lychee fruit from Taiwan and Vietnam is all but on its way to Australia following the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) giving the importation green light.
DAFF released the final report for the “non-regulated analysis of existing policy for fresh lychee fruit from Taiwan and Vietnam” in April, which recommends the fruit be permitted entry subject to a range of quarantine conditions.
Taiwan and Vietnam first requested permission to export lychees to Australia in 2003. Australia has imported fresh lychee fruit from China and Thailand, subject to specific quarantine conditions, since 2004.
Fruit from South Africa is also permitted to be imported but according to DAFF, no trade has occurred to date. The final report identifies fruit flies, litchi fruit borer and mealybugs as quarantine pests that require measures. In its Biosecurity Advice, DAFF said the final report was an administrative step and “is not the final step in the entire import process”.
“There are a number of other steps that must be completed before imports can commence,” the DAFF Advice said. “Importantly, a work plan will need to be developed with the biosecurity authorities of Taiwan and Vietnam, respectively, for them to demonstrate that their phytosanitary systems comply with Australia’s import requirements.
“DAFF may visit Taiwan and Vietnam to audit the implementation of agreed import conditions and measures, including registration of production sites, operational procedures in packing houses and any treatment practices.
“No import permit will be issued until DAFF is completely satisfied that import conditions are consistent with measures proposed to manage biosecurity risks, and that Taiwan and/or Vietnam are able to comply. The issuance of an import permit is a regulatory process that is subject to judicial review.”
