In SA’s Plant Quarantine Standard, Condition 7 is all about entry requirements related to the grapevine pest, phylloxera. Clause 2 of this Condition relates to machinery previously used in grape production.
In this article we pay particular attention to entry requirements into SA for used grape harvesters. Anyone planning to import grape harvesters into SA from interstate must understand and abide by these entry requirements.
KEY ASPECTS:
To import a used grape harvester into SA:
- Prior written approval from the Chief Inspector SA or delegate is mandatory. This means, as an importer, you need to complete a Plant Health Import Certificate request form to be issued with a Plant Health Import Certificate (PHIC) by PIRSA’s Market Access team. This PHIC form will guide you as the importer, and the interstate biosecurity department, on cleaning requirements, sterilisation requirements and other biosecurity documentation required to satisfy SA’s entry requirements for your particular import. A new PHIC application is required for each harvester import conducted.
- Thorough cleaning with a steam cleaner, pressure washer or air hose to ensure all vineyard soil and plant material is completely removed, is mandatory. This includes removal and cleaning of any parts which may hold or hide vineyard soil and plant material (e.g., belts, covers and guards).
- Additional requirements are dependent on the Phylloxera Management Zone the harvester is being imported from, the duration it has been located there for, and the specifics of the heat treatment applied interstate as follows:
- If the harvester is currently located in an interstate Phylloxera Exclusion Zone (PEZ) and has not been in an interstate Phylloxera Risk Zone (PRZ) or an interstate Phylloxera Infested Zone (PIZ) or an interstate Phylloxera Interim Buffer Zone (PIBZ) in the previous six months, a Declaration (refer Appendix 13 in the SA Plant Quarantine Standard) can be completed and submitted. In addition to the PHIC, a Plant Health Certificate (PHC) must also be obtained from the interstate biosecurity department in recognition of the origin of the machine and the meeting of cleaning requirements.
- If the harvester is currently located in an interstate PEZ but has been in an interstate PRZ/PIZ/PIBZ in the previous six months, evidence must be provided that the dry heat sterilisation of the harvester undertaken prior to leaving the interstate PRZ/PIZ/PIBZ meets SA’s specifications. In addition to the PHIC, a PHC must be obtained from the interstate biosecurity department in recognition of the origin of the machine, the meeting of cleaning requirements and the sighting of the time/temperature logging from the heat treatment meeting SA’s dry heat treatment specifications.
- Where evidence in 2 above cannot be provided, or where the dry heat sterilisation in 2 was not performed to SA’s specifications, or if the harvester is originating from an interstate PRZ or PIZ or PIBZ, the harvester must be dry heat treated prior to entry into SA at either 45˚C for 90 minutes or 40˚C for 180 minutes. In addition to the PHIC, a PHC must be obtained from the interstate biosecurity department in recognition of the origin of the machine and the meeting of cleaning and dry heat treatment requirements.
A reminder that all regulated imports into SA, including those made under Condition 7 are subject to Importer Registration. The ‘importer registration’ provides the importer ‘authorisation’ to import the regulated item for commercial purposes. The PHIC acts as the form of importer registration in the case of a used grape harvester.
A reminder that all regulated imports into SA are also subject to Direct Inspection. This is an inspection and formal clearing on arrival into SA of the imported items by a PIRSA Inspector or an Import Verification Compliance Arrangement (IVCA) Accredited Business. Penalties apply for failing to comply. To request a Direct Inspection for machinery or equipment through PIRSA, refer here. For further information on IVCA, refer here and for the IVCA application form, refer here.