20 March 2012
DAFF Biosecurity has been advised by the National Plant Protection Organisation of Iran, the Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, Plant Protection Organisation, of new import conditions for wheat (consumption and stockfeed) which provides an alternative to requiring treatment details endorsed on the phytosanitary certificate.
DAFF Biosecurity retains the policy of not certifying in-transit fumigation details on phytosanitary certificates and maintains a strong preference for fumigation to occur onshore prior to loading. However, as an interim arrangement to facilitate trade to this market, pending further negotiation with Iran, DAFF Biosecurity will endorse commercial treatment certificates for treatments applied prior to departure through the issuance of a certificate as to condition, if treatment cannot occur onshore.
The conditions of the interim arrangements are:
- Grain loaded is to have been inspected and found free of live insects, weed seeds, soil and extraneous material and there is no other reason for the Authorised Officer to reject the consignment under the Orders
- The fumigator is accredited under the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme or has a fumigation license issued by the relevant State or Territory Authority
- Prior to departure the licensed fumigator must provide DAFF Biosecurity with:
-
- Permit issued by the APVMA allowing use of fumigant in-transit
- Monitoring probe locations and depths
- Fumigation monitoring points and locations
- Procedures for recording monitoring results
- Recirculation method
- Method of sealing holds during fumigation
- Method of clearing the fumigant from the consignment
- Method used to provide gas free certification
- For a phytosanitary certificate and certificate as to condition to be issued, the exporter must provide DAFF Biosecurity with documentary evidence that the treatment occurred, which may include visual media, and a treatment certificate from the licensed fumigator with the following details:
-
- Dosage, temperature and duration of treatment in accordance with Iran’s import conditions
- Vessel name, destination and holds loaded
- Commodity and quantity
- Australian phytosanitary certificate number
- Signed by a licensed fumigator with contact details provided
- The details specified on the treatment certificate need to accord with the monitoring records maintained by the licensed fumigator. These records must be provided to DAFF Biosecurity on request
If all other Iranian import conditions have been satisfied DAFF Biosecurity can issue a phytosanitary certificate without endorsing treatment details and a certificate as to condition with the above fumigation certificate attached stating ‘The fumigation of [enter vessel name and voyage number] was conducted in-transit by a licensed fumigator in accordance with Iranian import conditions’.
Micor will be updated with these new conditions and compliance with import conditions is required for phytosanitary certificates to be issued.
Exporters of wheat to this market must contact the Grain & Seed Export program on +61 2 6272 3229 to ensure they are able to meet the fumigation requirements prior to shipment.
Kylie Calhoun
A/g Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations