02 September 2022
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the mainland apple and pear industry that applications for the export of apples and pears to Thailand are now open for the 2023 season.
Summary of changes and key points
- Applicants can complete their application forms using the Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) export registration system.
- Applications must be submitted by 5pm AEDT 3 October 2022. Late applications will not be accepted.
- Orchards or packhouses accredited for export to Thailand in 2022 will receive an SMS from APAL advising that the application process for accreditation has commenced.
- Orchards or packhouses not accredited in 2022 and wanting to export to Thailand in 2023 must contact APAL to access the export registration system.
- Crop monitors must complete the generic crop monitor course online through the Tocal College online eLearning hub by Monday 17 October 2022 to be eligible to conduct crop monitoring for apples and pears to Thailand.
- All orchards and packhouses will be subject to audits by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Background
Countries with protocol markets have specific requirements for importing Australian produce. Orchards and packhouses intending to export apples and pears must be accredited by us prior to export.
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 register as a Micor Plants user.
Accredited property responsibilities – orchards and packhouses
- Orchards and packhouses must apply for accreditation annually (unless otherwise advised).
- Orchards may divide their orchards into blocks. Each block must be clearly identified on the application form and on the orchard map by its physical address or geographic co-ordinates.
- Orchards and packhouses must be available for audits by the department, to ensure compliance with the protocol and departmental requirements. Some entities may be audited by the importing country authority.
- Audits will occur either pre-season and/or in-season (during harvest). Any farm or packhouse that was not accredited for the 2022 season will be audited pre-season.
- Accreditation and/or continuation of accreditation is reliant upon audit outcomes.
Note: The department will use a combination of announced and unannounced audits as part of its assurance process. - We 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.
- Packhouses exporting fruit to Thailand must comply with Thailand’s ‘good practices’ requirements for packhouses. See the Thailand Food and Drug Administration requirements for packhouses in the documents section of Micor for further information.
Crop monitor responsibilities
- Fortnightly crop monitoring of all blocks intending to export is required from budburst until harvest.
- Only crop monitors who have completed the online training and passed the assessment are eligible to conduct crop monitoring for protocol markets.
- Online crop monitoring training for apples and pears must be completed annually through the generic crop monitoring course.
- The generic crop monitoring course is now open via the Tocal College online eLearning hub.
- Crop monitors must complete the assessment by 17 October 2022.
- Crop monitors must be audited for compliance at the relevant accredited property audit.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email the Horticulture Exports Program.
If you have any questions regarding the export registration system, please email APAL.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch