18 March 2026
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the cucurbit industry of important changes to the accreditation process to export cucurbits to New Zealand (NZ) and notify that applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses, conducting in-field controls for cucurbits export to NZ for the 2026 season.
Summary of key points and changes
- The application process for accreditation to export cucurbits to NZ has changed.
- Previously, two separate IAN’s would be issued by the department to notify applications were open for exports occurring:
- during the winter window (WW) period
- outside of WW period.
- We will now issue only one IAN calling for applications for both periods.
- Farms and packhouses intending to export cucurbits to NZ where in-field controls are mandated, during or outside of the WW period, must apply for accreditation as outlined in this IAN.
Farm and packhouse managers must submit their applications by 5:00 pm AEST, Friday 10 April 2026:
- Application for plant export accreditation of farms
- Application for plant export accreditation of packhouses
Note: Late submissions will not be accepted.
- Farms and packhouses will be subject to audits by the department to ensure all protocol requirements are met. New applicants will be audited pre-season.
Note: Accreditation is not required for farms and packhouses applying irradiation or specified management options that do not require in-field controls.
- For further information refer to the New Zealand Export Plan (NZEP).
Refer to Background section for information on accessing the NZEP.
Background
Countries with protocol markets have specific requirements for importing Australian produce.
The NZEP for exporting cucurbits to NZ mandates that farms, and associated packhouses, conducting in-field controls for the following commodities are accredited with the department prior to the export season:
- Bactrocera cucumis (Cucumber fruit fly)
- Thrips palmi (Melon thrips)
This accreditation enables cucurbits exported via the following pathways:
- Winter Window (all cucurbits)
- Dimethoate dip (honeydew melons only)
- Methyl bromide fumigation (Watermelon & Zucchini)
For the specific market requirements, refer to the NZEP on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) Plants. To access these documents, you must register as a Micor Plants user.
State and Territory CGMMV PFPP requirements – Farms
- In addition to department accreditation all farms must be accredited as a Pest Free Place of Production (PFPP) for Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) by the relevant state or territory government.
- Currently, only Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory have systems approved to manage CGMMV PFPPs. Therefore, only farms in these states or territories can export cucurbit species to NZ.
- Farms are required to provide us with their certificate of accreditation as a PFPP and endorsed property plan at the time of applying to the department or during the department audit.
Accredited property responsibilities – Farms and packhouses
- Farms and packhouses must apply for accreditation annually.
- Growers may divide their farm 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. A block must be a contiguous unit and not be separated by structures such as a building, public road or body of water.
Note: For further information, refer to the Exports process instruction: Management of horticulture export accredited properties on the Plant Export Operations Manual.
- Farms and packhouses must be available for audits by the department to ensure compliance with the protocol and the department’s requirements.
- Debt checks will occur on all accredited property applications. Properties with debt owing to the Commonwealth will be notified and given 10 business days to pay the relevant debt or enter a payment arrangement. If the debt is not paid, the accredited property application will be refused.
Crop monitor responsibilities
- Online crop monitor training for cucurbits must be completed annually through Learnhub. The training consists of a core crop monitoring module.
- Crop monitors must register to conduct crop monitor training by completing and submitting the Crop Monitor Training Request Form, including those who have completed training in previous seasons.
- Crop monitors must complete the training and pass the assessments by COB Friday 17 April 2026.
- Only crop monitors who have completed the online training and passed the assessment are eligible to conduct crop monitoring for protocol markets.
- Crop monitors will be audited by the department for compliance at the relevant accredited property audit.
Exporter responsibilities
- Exporters sourcing produce from farms and suppliers to export to NZ must ensure that the farm is accredited as a PFPP by their relevant state or territory government.
- Exporters must provide evidence in the form of a Plant Health Assurance Certificate from the relevant state or territory government, to Assessment Services Exports when requesting authorisation of their phytosanitary certificate.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email the Horticulture Exports Program.
Jemma Martin
Assistant Secretary
Plant Exports Branch