Quarantine Alert

	The information here covers AQIS quarantine requirements only and is current on the date of transmission but may change without notice. AQIS makes no warranties or representations with respect to the accuracy or completeness of that information and will bear no liability with respect to that information. Importers must satisfy quarantine concerns and comply with quarantine conditions applicable at the time of entry. The Commonwealth through AQIS is not liable for any costs arising from or associated with decisions of importers to import based on conditions presented here which are not current at the time of importation. It is the importer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy and completeness of the information at the time of importation. It is the importer’s responsibility to identify and to ensure it has complied with, all requirements of any other regulatory and advisory bodies prior to and after importation including the Australian Customs Service, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Department of Health and Ageing, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority and any State agencies such as Departments of Agriculture and Health and Environmental Protection authorities. Importers should note that this list is not exhaustive. Importers should also note that all foods imported into Australia must comply with the provisions of the Imported Food Control Act 1992 , an Act which is administered by AQIS. Notification of the import must be provided to AQIS for all imported goods other than goods imported as accompanied baggage or goods imported via the mail and not prescribed under the Customs Act 1901. Notification must be consistent with Quarantine Regulations 2000 (examples include a Quarantine Entry or a Quarantine declaration).
	Public Quarantine Alert  PQA0484
	Changes to import conditions for ‘Fresh Water Articles and Equipment - Used – ex all countries’. Biosecurity Australia has provided AQIS with an update on countries where Didymosphenia geminata is known to occur. All consignments of fresh water articles and related equipment used in countries listed in C17542 will be subject to inspection on arrival and directed for treatment where necessary. Please see the below table for the updated list of Didymo risk countries. Andorra Hungary Norway including Spitsbergen and Svalbard Afghanistan Iceland Pakistan Armenia India Poland Austria Iran Portugal Azerbaijan Iraq Romania Belarus Ireland Russian Federation Belgium Italy San Marine Bhutan Kazakhstan Scotland Bosnia/Herzegovina Kyrgyzstan Serbia Bulgaria Latvia Slovakia Burma Lebanon Slovenia Canada Liechtenstein Spain China Lithuania Sweden Croatia Luxembourg Switzerland Czech Republic Macedonia Syria Denmark Malta Tajikistan Estonia Moldavia Turkey Faroe Islands Monaco Turkmenistan Finland Mongolia Ukraine France Montenegro United Kingdom Georgia Netherlands United States of America Germany Nepal Uzbekistan Greece New Zealand Yugoslavia What is Didymosphenia geminata? Didymosphenia geminata belongs to the Bacillariophyta (diatoms), which are characterised by possessing silica cell walls, which are intricately patterned. Didymo populations grow by vegetative cell division (asexual) with occasional sexual reproduction to exchange genetic material. However, little is known about which factors trigger asexual versus sexual cell division and whether there is a dormant or resting stage which could promote the spread (NZ Biosecurity 2006). The overall risk of entry, establishment, spread and associated consequences of importing ‘Didymo’ via water craft, fresh water articles and equipment is considered by Biosecurity Australia to be unacceptable, therefore risk management measures are required. The control measures outlined in this ICON case are considered to reduce the risk of entry, establishment, spread and associated consequences to an acceptable level. This ICON case ‘Fresh Water Articles and Equipment - Used – ex all countries’ should be considered for overseas travellers who have been involved in freshwater recreational activities from all countries listed in C17542. Where can I find out what the new requirements are? Changes to import conditions are updated in the AQIS Import Conditions Database (ICON) at http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon Further advice If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact the: Entry Management and Permits Unit on 02 6272 3390.

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