16/03/2021

Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) URGENT Quarantine Action for Khapra

Khapra Beetle ( granarium) is a destructive pest that can reproduce rapidly in stored products under hot conditions, causing significant losses to produce held in stores such as grain in silos. Infested stores also become contaminated with and cast skins and hairs from larvae which can be a health risk.

The Khapra Beetle is a serious agricultural pest that poses a major threat to ’s grain industry. The exotic pest is second on Australia’s most unwanted plant pest list, and is a serious pest of stored grains, , oilseeds and dried foodstuffs. The full list of high risk plants can be found via the below link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/urgent-actions#highrisk-plant- products

The Khapra beetle is found throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) has identified countries where Khapra Beetle is present and thus poses a risk from containers imported into Australia from those countries. The full list of target risk counties can be found via below link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/arrival/pests/khapra_beetle

To combat the threat of this pest, DAWE have introduced new quarantine treatment requirements for containers loaded for Australia from target risk countries on or after 12th April 2021.

To comply with the new measures, all target risk containers exported for Australia on or after 12 April 2021 must be treated Off-shore prior to loading and be accompanied by a valid treatment certificate. If a phytosanitary certificate is to be provided for sea containers, a valid treatment certificate must be provided in addition to the phytosanitary certificate.

Containers from target risk countries that are loaded for Australia on or after 12th April 2021 and that do not comply with the new quarantine treatment requirements shall be returned to origin or as directed by DAWE, with all associated costs falling under the Merchant’s responsibility.

The acceptable treatment options for Sea Containers can be found via the below link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/urgent-actions#treatment

Further information can be found via the Department’s web-site via below link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle

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