1 November 2019
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the citrus industry that online applications are now open for the accreditation of citrus orchards or blocks to export to the following countries in 2020:
- South Korea (all states)
- China (all states)
- Thailand (all states)
Summary of changes and key points
- If your orchard or block was accredited by the Department of Agriculture for exports to the above protocol markets in 2019, your details are already in the Citrus Australia online system and you will receive an email from Citrus Australia. If you have not already received an email, please contact Citrus Australia.
- If your orchard or block was not accredited in 2019 and you wish to export in 2020 to the protocol markets listed above, please contact Citrus Australia.
- Grower applications will close on 13 December 2019.
- All nominated orchards or blocks must be surveyed by a Registered Crop Monitor between 1 and 28 February 2020.
- Packhouses must upload the crop monitor report and an orchard map into the Citrus Australia online system and sign an electronic declaration that orchards have met quarantine requirements by 2 March 2020.
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.
Grower responsibilities
- Growers must apply for accreditation annually.
- Growers may divide their orchards 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.
- Growers must ensure that the supplied maps accurately reflect the block listed on the application form.
- Growers must be available for audits by the department, to ensure compliance with the relevant work plans and protocols. Some entities may also be audited by the importing country authority.
- Audits by the department may occur pre-season and/or during the season. Any orchard that was not accredited for the 2019 season will be audited.
- Requirements for accredited properties, including management guidelines, audit guidelines and performance standards, can be found on the Plant Export Operations Manual.
- The department can only accredit an entity for export if all protocol requirements are met.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding applying for accreditation please email Citrus Australia.
For any questions regarding this IAN please email the Horticulture Exports Program.
David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch