28 August 2023
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to notify stakeholders of amendments to the Australian phytosanitary treatment application standard for cold disinfestation treatment and the related performance standards.
Summary of changes and key points
In consultation with the Horticulture Export Industry Consultative Committee (HEICC), we have amended the Australian phytosanitary treatment application for cold disinfestation treatment and the Performance standards – onshore cold treatment – horticulture exports for:
- all treatments to include the use of numbered, tamper evident seals on cool rooms in place of padlocks (for improved work, health and safety);
- non-protocol treatments only – where permitted by the importing country
- to introduce single use, standalone data loggers (for ITCT); and
- to allow for onshore cold treatments (OSCT) to be conducted in refrigerated containers.
- The changes allow improved safety conditions for operators and increase the security of product, cool rooms and data.
- For non-protocol cold treatment providers, the changes allow greater flexibility, with the option to use single use data loggers and refrigerated containers, where permitted by the importing country.
- All onshore cold treatment facilities must now have doors on all cool rooms that can be closed and secured using a numbered, tamper-evident seal.
- Registered establishments operators who undertake protocol OSCT functions, must comply with the treatment standards and will be audited against the performance standards at their next audit.
Background
HEICC and the department consulted on the Australian phytosanitary treatment application standard for cold disinfestation treatment to develop safer practices and new operating methods and concepts.
Cold treatment facility managers who conduct treatments for protocol product must meet the relevant protocol requirements in addition to the cold treatment standard.
The relevant work plans and protocols are available in the ‘Documents’ section of the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor). To access these documents, you must be a registered Micor Plants user.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please contact the Horticulture Exports Program.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch