The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has prepared this draft biosecurity import risk review to analyse the risks associated with the importation into Australia of live snails of the terrestrial species Cornu aspersum, as breed-stock to produce edible snails for human consumption. The review considered relevant scientific information, industry practices and operational practicalities. It was informed by peer-reviewed publications and a range of other available evidence. The department also utilised external specialist expertise and, as appropriate, drew on information provided by commercial parties.

The review encompassed the invasive potential of C. aspersum, as well as the diseases and pests considered relevant to the proposed importation of C. aspersum. Australia currently permits the importation of (killed) terrestrial snails for human consumption if they have been retorted in accordance with the import conditions (DAFF, 2024), including:

The goods must have been hermetically sealed in a container before being heat treated to a minimum core temperature of 100°C, obtaining an F₀ value of at least 2.8.The final product must be imported in the hermetically sealed (airtight) container in which it was retorted.The goods must be retorted, commercially sterile and shelf stable.

There are also conditions for importation of freshwater snails for laboratory use.

This review focussed on live C. aspersum, with risk management measures proposed for the importation of foundation breed-stock for snail farms in Australia. In accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2015, these measures will reduce biosecurity risk to a very low level, but not to zero. The measures will also seek to ensure that the correct species of snail is imported, thus mitigating any unassessed invasive potential. The measures include that:

·C. aspersum breed-stock must only be sourced from approved countries.C. aspersum breed-stock must be sourced from approved snail farming establishments. Snail farms seeking to export C. aspersum to Australia must be commercial operations and government certified for basic quality standards for food safety, and general hygienic operations. Government certification for relevant biosecurity controls will also be necessary at the time of export.The current Quality Standard applicable to the commercial operation which is exporting C. aspersum to Australia must be linked to a specific import application and will be reviewed as part of the application assessment process.·For confirmation of the identification of imported snails: snails must be imported into a quarantine facility (an approved arrangement site) in Australia to allow species declaration to be verified. All snails in a consignment must be individually examined to minimise the risk of importation of a species other than C. aspersum. A subset, based on a statistical sampling approach, will be subjected to a morphological or molecular identification method. Morphological Identification (only suitable for adults) involves sacrifice of the selected snails as dissection is required. The form of identification procedure will be described in the approved arrangement and will be based on specific characteristics of each consignment.For management of Angiostrongylus spp. and Crenosoma vulpis: snails must be imported into a quarantine facility (an approved arrangement site) where they will be bred to the next generation while remaining in isolation from other snails and the definitive host, thus breaking the lifecycle of the two nematodes. The next generation of C. aspersum will then be free of Angiostrongylus spp. and Crenosoma vulpis and will be eligible for release from the approved arrangement site.For management of vectored plant pathogens: snails must be imported into a quarantine facility (an approved arrangement site) where they will be bred to the next generation while remaining in isolation from other snails. Isolation will break the life cycle of plant pathogens. The next generation of snails will then be eligible for release from the approved arrangement site.

Interested parties are invited to provide comment on this draft biosecurity import risk review. Further details for submissions are provided on the department’s website.