Regarding imports of rhizomes, you'd be looking at a fee of around $100 to apply for an import permit (inlcuding manual lodgement fees). And yes, you'd be right that there "may" be all sorts of pests in any soil stuck to the rhizome (even if it is washed farily well), but there may also be viruses in the plant itself. If you get an import permit, it will specify the deatils of how the nursery stock must be prepared (i.e is a rhizome acceptable, or does it need to be cuttings in sterile growing media in glass vials). Following arrival the nursery stock may then need to be grown in post entry quarantine to test to viruses (if they are of a concern from NZ and if they are not tested in NZ). OK, some of that is highlighting "worst case" scenario, but should give you an idea. I'll have a chat to a few of the guys in AQIS tomorrow (I work with the guys that do the assessments, but not specifically in their team) and find out some more for you. I guess the real question is do you want to arrange the import of 100 plants to keep it economical? <snip>
I wrote to AQIS awhile back regarding rhizome import from UK:
"Regarding your enquiry regarding the import of a Hop cultivar from the UK. Most (if not all) recent
imports of Hops have come through the Quarantine Station in Hobart Tasmania. The growing and
testing takes about 12 to 18 months and begins with the establishment of a new plant from a cutting
taken from the original imported crown. This cutting is then grown on and tested and if OK the
established cutting and any progeny are released and the original imported crown is destroyed.
The cost is approximately $1000. If you would like a more detailed costing or more information
regarding the testing please let me know. Currently all Hops are prohibited entry into Australia."
I also found out that after you put in an application for a permit to import Seeds/Nursery Stock they
will then send you a "New Plant Introduction form" which is required by Biosecurity Australia to
commence a formal assessment ....which I was told could take a couple of months!
(Plants that are already in Australia, still require this assessment).
You definitely don't want to import a 100 plants
they charge per M per day!
Fees and charges for post entry plant quarantine
Maybe with a suitable long pole they could grow one in a square metre