16 March 2023
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry that 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
Applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses intending to export fresh cucurbits to New Zealand under the winter window pathway.
Commodities included are:
- Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
- Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
- Honeydew melon (Cucumis melo)
- Rock melon (Cucumis melo)
- Scallopini (Cucurbita pepo)
- Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)
- Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo).
CGMMV PFPP requirements – Farms
- To trade, farms must be accredited as a Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) Pest Free Place of Production (PFPP) by the relevant state authority.
- Currently, only Victoria (VIC), New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA) have systems approved to manage CGMMV PFPPs. Therefore, only farms in these states can export fresh cucurbit species to New Zealand (NZ).
- Farms located in VIC, NSW and WA must provide us with the PFPP certificate issued by their state as evidence for registration.
- Farms located in QLD must provide us 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.
- All farms must also provide us with a copy of their property plan provided to the state as part of their application for PFPP for CGMMV.
Background
- The New Zealand Export Plan is available in the ‘Documents’ section of the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor). To access these documents, you must be a registered Micor plant user.
- All export certification fees and charges applicable to these commodities will be applied as per the department’s charging guidelines.
Accredited property responsibilities – Farms and packhouses
- Farms and packhouses intending to export under the winter window pathway (1 May to 1 September 2023) must apply for accreditation to the Audit and Assurance Branch by COB Friday 7 April 2023, to be an accredited property under the Export Plan.
- Farms and packhouses must be available for audits at the frequency outlined in the table of section 12 of the New Zealand Export Plan.
- In addition, new applicants will be required to pass an audit prior to accreditation.
- All other requirements in the New Zealand Export Plan must be adhered to.
- For further information please see the Export Plan located in the ‘Documents’ section of Micor.
Crop monitor responsibilities
- Crop monitors must complete the generic crop monitor course online through the Tocal College online eLearning hub by COB Friday 7 April 2023 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 must ensure that the place of production is registered with us and approved for export.
- Exporters must provide evidence in the form of a biosecurity certificate from the relevant state government authority, or accredited certifier for QLD, to Assessment Services Exports when requesting authorisation of their phytosanitary certificate.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email Horticulture Exports Program.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch