27 March 2023
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses to export Hass avocados to Japan and Thailand.
Summary of changes and key points
- Applications are now open for farms and packhouses intending to export Hass avocados to Japan and Thailand for the 2023 season.
- Avocado farm and packhouse managers wanting to export to Japan and Thailand can complete their application forms online through the Australian avocado export registration system by 5pm AEST, Friday 14 April 2023. Late submissions will not be accepted.
- All information in the application (for example, ABN numbers, contact details, accredited property maps and addresses) must be complete and correct or the application may not be accepted.
- Farms and packhouses will be subject to audits by the department. New applications will be audited pre-season prior to confirming accreditation.
- Audits will commence for early export season farms and packhouses from 23 May 2023, and for late production properties and associated packhouses from mid July 2023. Applicants will be advised in advance of their scheduled audit date and time.
- All accredited properties may be subject to unannounced audit by the department during the season consistent with accredited property audit guidelines.
- Accredited farms and packhouses may be subject to verification visits by the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Thailand Department of Agriculture (DOA).
- Export to Thailand will only commence after the audit and verification of the export pathway by DOA.
- Crop monitors must complete the generic crop monitor course online through the Tocal College online eLearning hub by 14 May 2023 to be eligible to conduct crop monitoring for Hass avocados to Japan and Thailand.
Specific market requirements
- Only fresh avocado (Persea americana) fruit of the Hass cultivar are permitted to be exported to Japan and Thailand.
- MAFF and DOA protocol conditions apply to fresh Hass avocado sourced from officially recognised areas free from Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) in Western Australia and Riverland (South Australia).
- Japan and Thailand recognise Tasmania to be free from both Qfly and Mediterranean fruit fly, therefore exports of fresh Hass avocado sourced from Tasmania are not subject to the protocol requirements.
Further details on specific market requirements (including area freedom) are available in the relevant work plans and protocols in the ‘Documents’ section of the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor). To access these documents, you must be a registered Micor Plant user.
To register for Micor, go to the registration webpage, complete all fields and then click ‘Submit’. You will be provided with your login details by email.
Background
Countries with protocol markets have specific requirements for importing Australian produce.
Farms and packhouses intending to export Hass avocado to Japan and Thailand must be accredited by the department and recognised by these markets, prior to export.
Accredited property responsibilities – farms and packhouses
- Farms and packhouses must apply for accreditation annually (unless otherwise advised).
- Farms may divide their orchard into blocks which must be a contiguous unit and not be separated by structures such as a building, public road or body of water. 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, to ensure compliance with the relevant work plans and protocols.
- We 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.
- Existing accredited properties will be subject to an audit pre- or mid-season.
- All new applicants must be available for pre-accreditation audits to ensure compliance with the protocol and departmental requirements.
- Applicants must be available on site during the audit and have the below records available, where applicable.
List of required records
Farm
Good agriculture practices (GAPs) that include the following:
- traceability system
- hygiene
- management program for pests and diseases.
Packhouse
Standard operation procedures (SOPs) that include all processes related to:
- security of product within 24 hours of harvest (for Japan)
- packing and securing of product within 48 hours of harvest (for Thailand)
- receival and load out of avocado fruit
- grading, processing, and storage
- product traceability and segregation
- cleaning and hygiene systems.
Crop monitor training
- Only individuals who have completed the online crop monitor training and passed the assessment are eligible to conduct crop monitoring for protocol markets.
- Online generic crop monitor training is now open via Tocal College online eLearning hub.
- Crop monitors must complete the assessment by 14 May 2023.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email Horticulture Exports.
If you have any questions regarding the avocado export registration system, please email Avocados Australia’s Export Development Manager.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch