5 December 2017
Purpose
The purpose of this Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the horticulture industry that China has agreed to new and improved protocol conditions for Australian cherries, nectarines, apricots, plums, peaches, table grapes and citrus to China.
Summary of changes and key points
Market access has been granted for apricots, plums and peaches. A new protocol for Summerfruit (including nectarine) exports has been released.
The protocols for cherries, table grapes and citrus have been amended to include new treatment and pest free area export pathways.
The new protocols have been uploaded to MICoR. The relevant work plans and MICoR cases will be available once China permit trade under the new protocol conditions.
After audit and approval to export, industry is required to present consignments that meet the new protocol conditions.
Background
In November 2017, China released new protocol agreements for various horticulture commodities.
To minimise the impost on industry, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has taken steps to ensure the new protocol conditions are consistent with current established practices.
Exporter responsibilities
In order to best facilitate trade under the new protocol conditions the department, in consultation with industry, has taken the following position regarding export-approval of growers, packhouses and treatment facilities.
Cherries and table grapes
- Grower and packhouse approvals will carry over to the new protocol. Growers are to familiarise themselves with the new protocol conditions as these will supersede the previous agreement.
- New applications will not be accepted for this season as audits and approvals have been finalised.
Citrus
- Growers, packhouses and treatment providers applying for export to China will have their application carried over to the new protocol requirements.
- The current registration process for next season closes on 31 December 2017. Refer to IAN 2017-46 for further information.
Summerfruit
- Nectarines
- Growers and packhouses already approved for export to China will be considered compliant with the new protocol conditions.
- Stakeholders are to familiarise themselves with the new protocol conditions as the new protocol supersedes the previous requirements.
- Crop monitors and growers are to pay particular attention to the additional quarantine pests of concern and ensure that monitoring continues as specified in the work plan.
- Peaches, plums and apricots
- Only growers and packhouses that have already proactively submitted applications for consideration as part of the Summerfruit registration process which closed 21 July 2017 will be considered for audit and approval.
- The department will not be accepting adjustments to these registrations or new applications for this season. This is due to mandatory in-field control requirements specified under the new protocol.
- Auditors will contact applicants to confirm audit and relevant preparation.
Treatment facilities
- For treatment facilities wishing to undertake protocol treatments for table grapes and summerfruit exports, registration enquiries should be sent to the Horticulture Exports Program (HEP).
- Facilities will be audited to determine compliance with product security and treatment application parameters.
- Treatment facilities that have been approved for a particular pathway and wish to expand their approval (e.g. combination treatment using both fumigation and cold treatment) will need to contact HEP for further information.
- Audits are expected to commence in January 2018.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email the Horticulture Exports Program.
Mr David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch