Draft National Khapra Beetle Action Plan 2020–2030

Public consultation on the draft Khapra Beetle Action Plan is closed.

How you had your say

We sought feedback from people about our new draft Khapra Beetle Action Plan.

You were able to provide feedback from 17 February to 16 March 2020.

What happens next

We will review and consider your feedback. Your feedback will help us finalise the National Khapra Beetle Action Plan 2020–2030.

We will submit the final plan to the Plant Health Committee for its approval. We will then publish the final plan and a consultation report of public feedback.

About the Khapra Beetle Action Plan

The plan will provide a national approach to how we manage the threat of khapra beetle entering and establishing in Australia. Priority areas in the plan identify the actions to build national capability to prevent, prepare for and respond to the threat of khapra beetle.

The Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is a serious pest of stored grain and dry foodstuffs. Massive populations build up swiftly, causing significant losses to produce which can be almost completely destroyed. Stored products also become contaminated with beetles, cast skins and hairs from larvae, which can be a human health risk.

This beetle pest is not present in Australia and poses a major threat to Australia’s grains, rice and nut industries through production losses and potential impacts on international trade. Khapra beetle is Australia’s number two National Priority Plant Pest (2019) and is a High Priority Pest for the grains, nut and rice industries.

We developed this plan in partnership with industry, state and territory government. The Plant Health Committee will oversee how the plan is implemented with our support.