19 August 2016
Purpose
All onshore cold treatment facilities intending to export horticulture commodities that are fruit fly hosts to Thailand must submit an ‘Export approval application form’ by Friday 2 September 2016.
This process is not applicable to facilities already jointly approved by Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) and Thailand Department of Agriculture (DOA).
Only onshore cold treatment facilities approved by the department and DOA can perform onshore cold treatment for horticulture exports to Thailand.
Key points
Thailand’s import conditions require that all fruit originating from outside a fruit fly pest free area must be cold-treated.
Protocols state that all onshore cold treatment facilities involved in the export of fruit fly host commodities to Thailand must be approved by the department and DOA.
Onshore cold treatment facilities must be registered establishments. A list of approved onshore cold treatment facilities must be provided to DOA before those entities are permitted to conduct onshore cold treatment of horticultural commodities for export to Thailand.
Facilities, not previously approved, planning to conduct onshore cold treatment of fruit fly host commodities for export to Thailand during 2016/2017 must submit completed applications by 2 September 2016.
Onshore cold treatment facilities must be audited by the department. Departmental audit will be scheduled for approximately mid-September. In addition, DOA must approve onshore cold treatment facilities including an audit prior to approval.
All costs associated with audit by DOA including DOA inspector travel and accommodation arrangements are the responsibility of industry.
Please note that the following information must be provided to the department as part of the application:
- facility location and layout including treatment rooms, inspection and load out areas
- description of how product security will be maintained for each treatment and loading
- dimensions of the facility
- capacity of each cold room used for treatment
- specifications and details of temperature-recording equipment including serial numbers of the fruit pulp temperature probes and air sensors
- the type of insulation used in the cold rooms
- the make, model, type, and capacity of the refrigeration condenser and evaporator air circulation
- the temperature range of the equipment, defrost cycle control and specifications and details of any temperature-recording equipment
- detailed Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) for product security, movement and treatment.
This information will be assessed by the department and it will also be forwarded to DOA for assessment. The department will schedule all necessary audits.
Background
An onshore cold treatment facility can only be approved for Thailand if it is a registered establishment, all protocol requirements are met, all information requested has been provided, and the facility has passed audit.
For specific market requirements refer to the relevant workplans and protocols on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) Plant website at: Micor Plants. To access these documents, you must be a registered Micor Plant user.
Contact Information
Each relevant facility must submit an application form (attached). Forms must be completed and returned by 2 September 2016 to: Horticulture Exports Program ACT.
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email: Horticulture Exports Program ACT or phone (02) 6272 4743.
Dr Chris Parker
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch