5 May 2020
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry that applications for accreditation of farms, packhouses and treatment facilities for the export of strawberries to Thailand 2020 are now open.
Key points
- Strawberries produced and prepared in Tasmania and Western Australia are eligible to apply for accreditation under the protocol agreement.
- Farm, packhouse and treatment facility managers must complete the below application form and submit the completed form to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, AuditServices@awe.gov.au by 5pm AEDT, 22 May 2020. Late submissions will not be accepted.
- All information in the application (for example, ABN numbers, contact details and addresses) must be correct.
- Crop monitors must complete the generic crop monitor course online through the Tocal College online eLearning hub by 29 May 2020 to be eligible to conduct crop monitoring for strawberries to Thailand.
- Treatment facilities accredited in 2019 are not required to re-apply.
- The department will conduct audits prior to confirming accreditations.
- Strawberries sourced from Western Australia must be subjected to mandatory methyl bromide fumigation at an accredited treatment facility prior to export.
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Background
The protocol for exporting strawberries to Thailand mandates that farms, packhouses and treatment facilities are accredited with the department.
The protocol requires that strawberries must be produced in Australia and sourced from a Thailand approved production area. Currently, only strawberries produced and packed in Tasmania and Western Australia are permitted to be exported to Thailand under the protocol.
For specific market requirements, refer to the protocol on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) plants website. Protocols can be found in the Document section of MICoR. To access these documents, you must be a registered MICoR Plants user.
To register for MICoR, go to the registration webpage, complete all fields and then click ‘Submit’. You will be provided with your login details by email.
Accredited property responsibilities – Farms, packhouse and treatment facilities
- Treatment facilities must be registered establishments.
- Farms and packhouses 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.
Note: Further detail on map and block requirements can be found on the application forms. - Packhouses must provide evidence of adherence to one of the following industry food safety accredited schemes that comply with Thailand’s ‘good practices’ requirements for packhouses:
- Requirements for accredited properties, including management guidelines, audit guidelines and performance standards, can be found on the Plant Export Operations Manual.
- All new applicants must be available for pre-accreditation audits by the department, to ensure compliance with the protocol and departmental requirements.
- The department will notify all applicants of audit dates and provide an audit briefing.
- The records listed below must be supplied at the time of audit.
- Applicants will be advised of the audit outcome, and export approval number/s will be provided to successful farms and packhouses.
List of required records
Farm
- Management program for pest and disease control
- Spray diary
- Crop monitoring records
- Traceability system
- Staff training.
Packhouse
- Traceability system including receivals and load out of product
- Management program for pest control, waste removal and cleaning
- Staff training.
Crop monitor training
Only individuals who have completed the online crop monitor training and passed the assessment are eligible to conduct crop monitoring for protocol markets.
- Online generic crop monitor training is now open via Tocal College online eLearning hub.
- Crop monitors require to complete the assessment by 29 May 2020.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email Horticulture Exports Program.
David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch