14 December 2022
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the carrot industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses to export to Taiwan for the 2023 season.
Summary of changes and key points
- Applications are now open for the accreditation of carrot farms and packhouses from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia for the 2023 season.
- Growers and packhouses wishing to export carrots to Taiwan can submit their applications to be an accredited property to AUSVEG. Applications must be completed by 5pm AEDT, Friday 6 January 2023.
- This advice does not apply to farms and packhouses in the states of Victoria or Tasmania. These states are recognised as free of burrowing nematode.
- Prior to the commencement of the season, farms and packhouses will be audited by us to ensure they meet all protocol requirements.
- Farms and packhouses that pass our audit will also be subject to an audit against Taiwan requirements by the Taiwan Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) or the department on their behalf.
Background
Countries with protocol markets have specific requirements for importing Australian produce. The protocol for exporting carrots to Taiwan mandates that farms and packhouses are accredited with us prior to the export season.
For specific market requirements, refer to the relevant workplan and protocol on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) Plants website. To access these documents, you must register as a Micor Plants user.
Accredited property responsibilities – Farms and packhouses
- Farms and packhouses must apply to be an accredited property annually.
- Requirements for accredited properties, including management guidelines, audit guidelines and performance standards, can be found on the Plant Export Operations Manual.
- We will notify all applicants of audit dates and provide an audit briefing. Audits will be carried out against the requirements of the protocol and applicants will be advised of the outcome. Export accreditation number/s will be provided to successful farms and packhouses.
Accredited property responsibilities – Farms
Farm managers must also meet the following requirements:
- Farm managers may divide their farm 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.
- Farm managers are required to have their soil tested annually to demonstrate that the accredited farms are free of burrowing nematode. The soil testing procedure must be followed in accordance with the Taiwan protocol for carrots.
- The soil testing must be conducted by an organisation approved by us.
- Farm managers must submit the soil testing results, either with their application form at the time of departmental audit, or prior to BAPHIQ audit.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email AUSVEG.
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email Horticulture Exports Program.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch