By John Dawes

Less than six months ago, Australia launched an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) via its bio-security agency, known as Biosecurity Australia.

All cichlid imports into Australia will likely be subject to new restrictions before long. Photo by John Dawes

The original announcement occurred on Sept. 11, 2008, with the purpose of assessing “the current quarantine policy for the importation of live freshwater ornamental finfish with respect to gourami iridovirus and related viruses.”

Six months later, on March 24, 2009, Biosecurity Australia announced the draft IRA report was ready for the next stage in the consultative process.

The latest draft report (around 130 pages in length (accessible via the Biosecurity Australia website) “assesses the bio-security risks to Australia through the importation of freshwater ornamental fish with respect to iridovirus and examines risk management options to reduce risks to a level consistent with Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).”

After studying the available evidence, the IRA concludes that the present importation procedures for cichlids, gouramis and poeciliids do not achieve Australia’s ALOP for the following pathogens (disease-causing agents):

• Cichlids: Angel iridovirus and cichlid iridovirus
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• Gouramis: Dwarf gourami iridovirus (Megalocytivirus)
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• Poecilliids: African lampeye iridovirus (Megalocytivirus); Guppy virus (Ranavirus) and Swordtail iridovirus

It therefore states that, “To achieve Australia’s ALOP with respect to the pathogenic agents identified in this risk analysis, all imported cichlids, gouramis and poeciliids would need to be either batch-tested post-arrival in Australia and found to be free of corresponding iridoviruses of quarantine concern or sourced from countries, zones or compartments determined to the satisfaction of Australian government authorities to be free of iridoviruses of quarantine concern.

“It is considered that either of the above two measures, in addition to pre-export quarantine measures and relevant official health certification, together with a post-arrival quarantine period of seven days, would achieve Australia’s ALOP with respect to iridovirus associated risks.”

Stakeholders, i.e., all interested parties in the export and import chain, had 60 days to comment on the draft report, a period that expired on May 25, 2009.

After this, “Stakeholder comments will be carefully considered and a provisional final report will be prepared.”

This document “will be open to appeal” and, following this, a final report and recommendations will go to Australia’s Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine who will then “make a quarantine policy determination.” <HOME>

First a schoolteacher, then a university lecturer, John Dawes is now a consultant and author with more than 4,000 articles and 30 books to his name. He holds Fellowships of the Zoological Society of London and the Linnean Society, Membership of the Institute of Biology and is a Chartered Biologist. He currently resides in Malaga, Spain.