International quarantine

Australia is a unique country with invaluable flora and fauna.  Profitable agricultural production demands the import and export of improved varieties, crop products and agricultural machinery.  BSES works closely with state and federal government agencies and industry to prevent the introduction of serious pests and diseases, reduce the impacts if a pest or disease incursion occurs, and to ensure that diseases present in Australia are carefully managed to minimise losses.

 

   Border Protection 

The use of quarantine as protection against pest and disease incursion is a vital safeguard for our industry and a high priority for BSES.  BSES works closely with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) which has the primary responsibility for international quarantine.  AQIS has comprehensive border controls to screen imported goods and travellers entering Australia.

BSES staff recently led surveys of northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and neighbouring Indonesian islands to help identify risks posed by pests and diseases. 

Devastating insect pests of sugarcane are found to our north in Papua New Guinea, including the top borer Scirpophaga excerptalis (Image 1) and the planthopper (Image 2) that carries Ramu stunt disease. BSES has developed incursion management plans for these pests should they ever enter Australia. BSES places great emphasis on screening our varieties for resistance to exotic pests and diseases in preparation for possible incursions. Currently BSES screens Australian varieties for resistance to the borer Sesamia grisescens, Ramu stunt and downy mildew in Papua New Guinea.

  Import of sugarcane varieties

In an effort to enhance the genetic diversity of sugarcane varieties, BSES has active variety exchange programs with other sugar producing countries.   Australia exchanges elite commercial varieties with countries including the United States, Brazil and Mauritius, and these overseas varieties are used as parents in the BSES crossing program.  However, it is absolutely vital that these foreign plants are quarantined before entering the breeding program.  Imported plants are maintained in a glasshouse facility for two years and are carefully screened for diseases during this time. BSES quarantine glasshouses are approved by AQIS and all varieties are imported under permit from AQIS. AQIS policies on import of sugarcane and associated products can be found at AQIS.

No one should attempt to bring sugarcane into Australia without AQIS approval. 

For more information please contact please email info@bses.com.au.