7 August 2019
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the Tasmanian apple and pear industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of farms, packhouses and cold stores to export to protocol markets for the 2019–20 season.
Summary of changes and key points
- Applications are now open for the accreditation of
- farms, packhouses and cold stores to export apples to China, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand
- farms and packhouses to export pears to Thailand.
- Applicants must submit their completed application to Fruit Growers Tasmania Inc. by 5 pm AEST, Friday, 23 August 2019.
- Farms, packhouses and cold stores will be subject to audits by the Department of Agriculture.
- Crop monitor training and assessment for apples and pears is available through the Tocal College online eLearning hub.
Background
Countries with protocols markets have specific requirements for importing Australian produce.
For specific market requirements, refer to the relevant workplan and protocol on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) Plants website. To access these documents, you must be a registered MICoR Plant user.
Accredited property responsibilities
- Farms, packhouses and cold stores must apply for accreditation annually (unless otherwise advised).
- Farms may divide their orchard into blocks. Each block must be clearly identified on the application form and on the farm map by its physical address or geographic co-ordinates.
- All new applicants must be available for pre-accreditation audits by the department, to ensure compliance with the relevant protocol and departmental requirements.
- Existing accredited properties will be subject to an audit either pre- or mid-season.
- The department can only accredit an entity for export if all protocol requirements are met.
- Requirements for accredited properties, including management guidelines, audit guidelines and performance standards, can be found on the Plant Export Operations Manual.
Crop monitor training
Only crop monitors who have completed the online training and passed the assessment are eligible to conduct crop monitoring for protocol markets.
The online crop monitor training for apples and pears is now open via the Tocal College online eLearning hub.
- The assessment quiz closes on Sunday, 25 August 2019.
- The eLearning course content will remain accessible through to March 2020.
Industry responsibilities
Farms, packhouses and cold stores must submit an annual application for accreditation. Please contact Fruit Growers Tasmania Inc. (FGT) for the appropriate form.
Email: Fruit Growers Tasmania Inc.
Phone: 03 6169 2059
Fax: 03 6231 1929
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email Horticulture Exports Program.
David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch