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South Australian and Western Australian blueberry market access update
Fruit Growers Tasmania | Monday, 4 July 2022, 12.00pm
Biosecurity Tasmania has updated blueberry growers on trade with protected markets via a Pest Free Places of Production protocol.
South Australia has formally notified Biosecurity Tasmania that they no longer accept Tasmania's Pest Free Places of Production protocol due to the increased number of blueberry rust detections throughout the 2021-22 season.
Trade can still occur with South Australia, but blueberry exports must meet the entry conditions as detailed in the South Australian quarantine standard or comply with the requirements of the Trade Agreement – Pre-Harvest Treatment & Inspection of Blueberries for Blueberry Rust.
In agreement with blueberry growers and industry, the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has concluded that it is no longer feasible to eradicate Blueberry Rust from that state.
This changes Western Australia's market access for blueberries to unregulated and no longer requires specific import requirements, as is the case in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The Tasmanian Blueberry Rust Technical Review Reference Group recently met, involving representatives from Biosecurity Tasmania, industry bodies and blueberry growers. The group received advice on the progress of Biosecurity Tasmania's Technical Review, including the current blueberry rust situation in Tasmania, the effectiveness of the current blueberry rust Containment Plan and recommendations for the future, and provided feedback. The outcome of the Technical Review will soon be shared with the industry for feedback and comments.
