01 November 2023
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the citrus industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of packhouses to operate under the packhouse grower supplier model for the 2024 season.
Summary of changes and key points
- Accredited property packhouses for citrus can now apply for an additional export function to operate under the packhouse grower supplier model.
- Applications must be submitted to the Audit and Assurance Branch electronically by 5pm AEDT Thursday 30 November 2023.
- The application form, as well as new policy and instructional material outlining the requirements of the model, have been published on the Plant Export Operations Manual (PEOM).
- The model is designed to streamline audit processes, making it easier and cheaper for industry participants to get their products in to overseas markets.
- Under the model, eligible accredited property packhouse mangers have responsibilities to ensure that regulatory requirements are met at the accredited property farm/s they manage.
Background
The packhouse grower supplier model is a voluntary, alternative assurance model and auditing program for accredited property packhouses and farms. The model will provide an alternative method of gaining regulatory assurance that horticulture export accredited property farms are compliant with trading partner and export regulatory requirements.
The packhouse grower supplier model is considered an additional export function for an accredited property packhouse. Packhouses that apply for accreditation under the model will apply the additional export function to their existing accreditation.
Application process
Accreditation under the model currently applies to the export of Citrus to protocol markets only. To apply for accreditation, the packhouse manager (or representative) will need to complete an online application form which can be found on the PEOM.
To be eligible for the model, the packhouse must have also been accredited in the previous export season.
If an accredited property packhouse is new to export, or it was not accredited in the previous export season, then it will not be eligible to apply for the model until the next export season.
New policy and instructional material
The following policy and instructional material has been published on the PEOM:
- Guideline: Management of horticulture export accredited properties operating under the packhouse grower supplier model
- Reference: Performance standards for the packhouse grower supplier model
- Reference: Application for the packhouse grower supplier model
- Reference: Packhouse management of growers template
For further information on the requirements of the packhouse grower supplier model refer to the PEOM.
Benefits of the model
Over the 2022 and 2023 citrus harvest seasons, a pilot program was run to determine the viability of the model in meeting regulatory outcomes. We piloted the model with 9 industry participants, consisting of 10 packhouses. There were multiple benefits observed throughout the pilot program demonstrating the success of the model.
The model provides an alternative and flexible approach for industry participants to demonstrate grower compliance with trading partner and export regulatory requirements.
By recognising packhouse management controls over their grower suppliers, we expect to see an increased level of assurance through ongoing industry monitoring practices, while helping to reduce costs, enhance trade and increase efficiencies for both the department and industry.
Some identified benefits for packhouses who participated in the pilot program included:
- packhouses saved time by not having to coordinate grower audits.
- some packhouses utilised their existing grower management system to meet our requirements.
- growers saved on the cost of audits and spent less time with auditors.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email the Plant Export Reform Program.
Rosanna Carr
A/g Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch