01 May 2024
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to provide an update on Australia’s Country Recognition Agreement for Fresh Produce of Plant Origin (CRA) with Indonesia.
Summary of changes and key points
- Australia’s CRA expired on 27 April 2024.
- Renewal of the CRA has been progressed by the Indonesian Quarantine Authority (IQA) and will come into force upon the IQA issuing a decree, which we understand is currently being finalised.
- The IQA has advised that if the Bill of Lading date for consignments of products covered by the existing CRA was prior to its expiration date (27 April 2024), then clearance of consignments on arrival will be in accordance with the existing CRA.
- Until the renewed CRA comes into force, consignments of products covered by the CRA that shipped from 28 April 2024 onwards will be at exporter’s commercial risk.
- We are working with the IQA to ensure no/minimal disruption to trade occurs in the period between expiry of the existing CRA and the renewed CRA coming into force.
Background
- Indonesia requires countries to apply for recognition of their food control system every 3 years—this is referred to as the Country Recognition Agreement for Fresh Produce of Plant Origin (CRA). Australia has maintained successive CRA’s since 2009.
- The CRA is not related to phytosanitary market access and is not a technical market access condition. It does, however, provide favourable conditions including:
- Products exported under the CRA are given access to Jakarta port.
- Products are not detained for food surveillance testing upon arrival.
- Renewal of the CRA is expected and will come into force once a decree is promulgated. IQA are currently finalising the renewal, which the department understands will occur soon. It is likely the date of effect of the new CRA will be contiguous to the recently expired CRA.
- We will continue to engage with industry on the renewal status and advise when the decree is signed.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email Market Coordination and Strategy.
Rossana Carr
Assistant Secretary (a/g)
Plant Export Operations Branch