28 June 2018
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise of the release of new instructional material for the management and audit of horticulture accredited properties.
Summary of changes and key points
- The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, is making changes to the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Order 2011 to include the accreditation of properties for the export of horticulture products to certain protocol markets.
- The Order is due to commence in July 2018.
- When the Order commences, the term ‘accredited property’ will formalise what is currently known as an ‘export listed property’.
- In preparation for the change, the following new instructional material for accredited properties is available on the Plant Export Operations Manual.
- Guideline: Management of horticulture export accredited properties
- Guideline: Audit of horticulture export accredited properties
- The accredited property instructional material formalises and provides clarity on the policy and requirements around arrangements for the export of horticulture products to certain protocol markets.
- These policy documents will help industry and the department to understand the application process, ongoing compliance requirements, and will clarify what is expected at audit.
- Growers, packhouses and treatment facilities may notice small changes to the appearance of application forms and minor changes to terminology. Relevant work plans and instructional material will be updated to reflect the amended Order.
- Current export listed properties will be automatically transitioned to be under the new accredited properties legislative framework when the Order commences. This will ensure that growers, packhouses and treatment facilities can continue to operate and export horticulture products compliantly and without delay.
Accredited properties responsibilities
Managers of accredited properties:
- should read and be familiar with their responsibilities under the two accredited property guidelines.
- will be required to apply for accreditation of their property if they plan to export horticulture products to certain protocol markets, and are not already an export listed property for the current, relevant export season. Information regarding how to apply for accreditation will be advised by an Industry Advice Notice prior to the start of the export season.
- will have the ability to apply to vary their accreditation, or request that their accreditation be suspended or revoked.
Background
As part of a wider initiative to strengthen agricultural exports and market access, the department is improving the current agricultural export legislative framework.
The Export Control Bill 2017 was introduced into the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017.
The proposed Export Control Bill 2017 includes provisions for accredited properties.
The proposed legislative framework provides a robust, transparent and fair procedure for managers of accredited properties to receive notice of decisions made by the department, and to seek reconsideration and review of these decisions according to existing legislation.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email the Horticulture Exports Program.
Mr David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch