25 June 2019
Purpose
The purpose of this Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses to export summerfruit to protocol markets for the 2019–20 season.
Summary of changes and key points
- Applications are now open for farms and packhouses intending to export summerfruit to China, Taiwan and Thailand for the 2019–20 season.
- Applicants must complete their application forms through the Summerfruit Australia export registration system. Applications are due by 5pm AEST, Friday 12 July 2019.
- Farms and packhouses will be subject to audits by the Department of Agriculture.
- Crop monitor training and assessment for summerfruit is available through the online eLearning hub.
- Treatment facilities will be notified of accreditation application due dates and requirements via an IAN in due course.
Specific market requirements
Export pathways for summerfruit protocol markets are:
- China – accreditation of all farms and packhouses; area freedom, cold treatment, fumigation and combination treatment (fumigation plus cold treatment).
- Taiwan – accreditation of packhouses; area freedom and cold treatment.
- Thailand – accreditation of all farms and packhouses; area freedom and cold treatment.
Further details on specific market requirements (including area freedom) are available in the relevant work plans and protocols on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) Plants website. To access these documents, you must register as a MICoR Plants user.
Background
Countries with protocols markets have specific requirements for importing Australian produce.
Farms and packhouses intending to export summerfruit to China, Taiwan and Thailand must be accredited by the department, prior to export.
Accredited property responsibilities
- Farms and packhouses must apply for accreditation annually (unless otherwise advised).
- Farms may divide their orchard into blocks. Each block must be clearly identified on the application form and on the farm map by its physical address or geographic co-ordinates.
- Applicants must be available for audits by the department, to ensure compliance with the relevant work plans and protocols. Some entities may be audited by the importing country authority.
- The department can only accredit an entity for export if all protocol requirements are met.
- Requirements for accredited properties including management guidelines, audit guidelines and performance standards, can be found on the Plant Export Operations Manual.
Crop monitor training
Only crop monitors who have completed the online training and passed the assessment are eligible to conduct crop monitoring for protocol markets.
The online crop monitor training is now open via the Tocal College online eLearning hub.
- The assessment quiz closes on Wednesday, 16 August 2019.
- The eLearning course content will remain accessible through to March 2020.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding the summerfruit export registration system, please email Summerfruit Australia.
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email the Horticulture Exports Program.
David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch