19 September 2023
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise stakeholders of changes to the Export Plan for Fresh Produce from Australia to New Zealand (Export Plan), due to new Import Health Standards by New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).
Summary of changes and key points
The revised changes to the Export Plan include:
- New market access for butternut and squash from Australia.
- Irradiation as a treatment option for avocado, butternut, cucumber, pear, pumpkin, squash and watermelon.
- Low dose methyl bromide as a treatment option and amended pest list for capsicum.
- The winter window (1 May – 1 Sept) pathway option for butternut, squash and pumpkin.
- Approval for in-field packing for watermelons.
- Yellow Peach Moth added to pest list for lychees and pears.
- Change to in-transit cold treatment probe placement to reflect the Australian phytosanitary treatment application standard for cold disinfestation treatment.
Background
The Export Plan sets out the operational requirements for the export horticultural commodities to New Zealand and includes permitted commodities and treatments.
The revised Export Plan came into effect on 19 September 2023 and 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. 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.
Industry responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with the revised Export Plan to ensure that fresh fruit and vegetables for export to New Zealand comply with the updated requirements, including the new treatment requirements.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email Horticulture Exports Program.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch