18 March 2021
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry that:
- New Zealand (NZ) has lifted the suspension previously placed on the export of all fresh cucurbit species produced in Queensland. While formerly a Pest Free Area (PFA), fruit from Queensland must now be sourced from a Pest Free Place of Production (PFPP) site.
- applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses for fresh cucurbit species under the winter window pathway listed in the New Zealand Export Plan (Export Plan).
Summary of changes and key points
- The NZ National Plant Protection Organisation, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), has advised that the suspension of fresh cucurbit species produced in Queensland, has been lifted to allow fruit sourced from a Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) PFPP, to be exported to NZ.
- Commodities affected are:
- Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
- Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
- Honeydew melon (Cucumis melo)
- Rock melon (Cucumis melo)
- Scallopini (Cucurbita pepo)
- Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)
- Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)
- The information in this IAN supersedes IAN 2019-65 released on 16 December 2019.
CGMMV PFPP requirements – Farms
- To trade, farms must be accredited as a CGMMV PFPP by the relevant state authority and register with us using the Application for registration of cucurbit growers for freedom from Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV).
- Currently, only Victoria (VIC), New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) have systems approved to manage CGMMV PFPPs. Therefore, only farms in these states can export fresh cucurbit species to NZ.
- Farms located in VIC and NSW must provide the department with the PFPP certificate issued by their state as evidence for registration.
- Farms located in QLD must provide the department with their ‘accredited certifier’ certificate issued by the state as evidence for registration.
- Approval is subject to an assessment against PFPP certification issued by the relevant state department confirming property freedom from CGMMV.
Accredited property responsibilities – Farms and packhouse
- Farms and packhouses intending to export under the winter window pathway (1 May to 1 September 2021) must apply for accreditation to the department’s Audit and Assurance Group by COB Thursday 1 April 2021, to be an accredited property under Export Plan.
- For further information please see the Export Plan located in the ‘Documents’ section of Micor.
- Farms and packhouses must be available for audits at the frequency outlined in the table in section 12 of the Export Plan.
- All other requirements in the Export Plan must be adhered to.
Crop monitor responsibilities
- Crop monitors must complete the generic crop monitor course online through the Tocal College online eLearning hub by COB Thursday 1 April 2021 to be eligible to conduct crop monitoring for cucurbits under the winter window pathway.
Exporter responsibilities
- Exporters sourcing produce from farms and suppliers to export to NZ will need to ensure that the place of production is registered with the department and approved for export. Exporters will need to provide evidence in the form of a biosecurity certificate from the relevant state government authority, or accredited certifier for QLD, to the Assessment Services Group when requesting authorisation of their phytosanitary certificate.
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Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email Horticulture Exports Program.
David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch