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SUBMISSION TO THE REVIEW OF THE AUSTRALIAN QUARANTINE INSPECTION SERVICE
31 March 1996

Incursions of exotic pests and diseases continue to be a major threat to Australia's sustainable primary production and export, public health and its native biota and environment.

The Australian Academy of Science reviews these major concerns. It recommends that the mission statement of the national quarantine authority be revised to embrace these broader responsibilities. It also argues that the composition and terms of reference of the Quarantine and Inspection Advisory Council be expanded in recognition of this wider remit.

CONTENTS

1. Executive Summary and Recommendations

2. Introduction

   2.1 Historical perspective

   2.1.1 Quarantine and human health

   2.1.2 The establishment of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)

   2.1.3 The role of quarantine services

   2.2 The Lindsay Review

   2.3 The Quarantine and Inspection Advisory Council (QIAC)

   2.4 Review of the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS)

3. Routes of Entry of Non-Indigenous Pests

   3.1 Grains and seed imports

   3.1.1 Bulk grain imports

   3.1.2 Germplasm imports

   3.2 Deliberate introduction of plant material for pasture improvement and horticulture

   3.3 Cut flowers and ornamentals

   3.4 Ballast water from, and hull biofouling of bulk, ore and woodchip carriers

   3.5 Aquaria supplies

   3.6 Natural phenomena

   3.7 Movement of indigenous peoples in Northern Australia

   3.8 Tourism

   3.9 Deliberate introductions for research

   3.10 Deliberate introductions for biological control

   3.11 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and quarantine

4. The invaders

   4.1 Insects

   4.1.1 The papaya fruit fly (Bactrocera papayae)
   4.1.1.1 Prospects for eradication or control of Bactrocera papayae

   4.1.2 The incursion of Bemisia tabaci biotype B

   4.1.2.1 Lessons from the incursion of whitefly biotype B

   4.1.3 Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)

   4.1.4 The cucurbit thrips (Thrips palmi)

   4.1.5 Old world screw-worm fly (Chrysomyia bezziana)

   4.1.6 Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphris noxia)

   4.1.7 Honey bees and pollinators

   4.2 Weeds

   4.3 Plant pathogens

   4.3.1 Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) of wheat

   4.3.2 Pathogens of rice

   4.3.3 Other plant pathogens

   4.3.4 Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)

   4.3.5 Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV)

   4.4 Human disease organisms

   4.5 Animal disease organisms

5. Key Considerations, The Terms of Reference and Recommendations

   5.1 Awareness of, and preparedness for, potential threats

   5.2 Maintenance of appropriate and effective control barriers

   5.3 Contingency procedures to deal with incursions

   5.3.1 Exotic pests and biological control

   5.3.2 Essential role of taxonomists in developing preparedness

   5.3.3 Plans for eradication of a new unwanted organism in Australia

   5.3.4 Long term management

   5.3.5 Future of the National Facilities Initiative for quarantine capability in Northern Australia

   5.4 Funding and cost recovery

   5.5 Quarantine policy framework

   5.5.1 The place of AQIS in the bureaucracy

   5.5.2 Quarantine and Inspection Advisory Council (QIAC)