THE HON DAVID LITTLEPROUD MP
Shadow Minister for Emergency Management
Shadow Minister for Tourism
Federal Member for Maranoa
11 June 2026
Raw Peanut Imports Raise Serious Biosecurity Alarm
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud is demanding urgent government action after independent testing confirmed imported peanuts being sold across Australia have tested positive for germination — proving they are raw, not roasted as labelled.
Mr Littleproud has written to Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins urging an immediate investigation by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
“This is a serious biosecurity breach. These peanuts are being sold Australia-wide, and independent testing has confirmed they are raw,” Mr Littleproud said.
Raw peanuts cannot legally enter Australia without a DAFF import permit and processing at an AQIS-approved quarantine facility.
South Burnett Peanut Grower, Mr Peter Howlett, believes the importation of raw peanuts could wipe out the entire peanut production in Australia.
“Countries like Brazil carry Peanut Smut, a devastating soil-borne disease currently not present in Australia, and which can slash peanut yields between 40 and 70 per cent” Mr Howlett said. “Once it’s in Australian soil, it’s almost impossible to eradicate.”
Mr Littleproud said importers appear to be deliberately miscoding products on customs documentation to avoid biosecurity requirements placing the nearly 100-year-old Australian industry at risk.
“The government must act before the it’s too late. The imported raw peanuts need to be recalled immediately and destroyed”.
Mr Littleproud is calling on Minister Collins to ensure that all suspected non-compliant stock is quarantined and to compel importers to immediately recall affected products.
