Does WEA regulate wheat imports?
WEA works closely with AQIS in assessing the history of applicants in complying with designated sanitary or phytosanitary measures but has no role in regulating wheat imports. Wheat imports are prohibited under the Quarantine Act 1908 unless a permit is issued by AQIS. Import permits are issued regularly for small quantities of wheat for research purposes. That wheat is grown in post entry quarantine and is inspected during growth for disease symptoms. Only disease free seed is released from quarantine. Wheat for direct human or animal consumption can only be imported from countries that have been assessed as a low quarantine risk source, and are processed in the metropolitan areas of the ports of importation to devitalise and sterilise the grain.
