2017-25 - Horticulture Exports Program – Cherry applications for orchards, packhouses and onshore cold treatment facilities to protocol markets in 2017/18

​11 July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the cherry industry of application requirements and due dates for export approval of cherry orchards, packhouses and onshore cold treatment facilities for cherry exports in the 2017/18 season to:

• China
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Japan
• Korea.

Summary of changes and key points

• Applications are now open for orchards, packhouses and onshore cold treatment facilities intending to export cherries to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan or Korea for the 2017/18 season.
• For exports using the onshore cold treatment pathway for Thailand and/or Taiwan, do not attempt to use the attached export application form. Instead, please contact Horticulture Exports Program.
• Applications must be submitted to the relevant peak industry bodies by the due dates.
• Applicants must meet all importing country requirements and will be subject to an audit by the department.
• Audits will commence 25 September 2017 for growers, packhouses and treatment facilities in mainland Australia and 23 October 2017 for growers and packhouses in Tasmania.
• Workshops are being held for industry wishing to participate in the 2017/18 season.
• Crop monitoring training for cherries is now being delivered through online eLearning.

Download

Document	Pages	File size
Export Application for Orchard, Packhouse and Treatment Facility for cherries to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and Korea PDF	3	340 KB
Export Application for Orchard, Packhouse and Treatment Facility for cherries to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and Korea DOCX	3	145 KB

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Background

Countries with protocol agreements with Australia have specific requirements for importing Australian cherries. Some protocol markets require the department to provide a list of orchards, packhouses and onshore cold treatment facilities before exports can commence.

The table below outlines application requirements for entities exporting cherries to protocol markets.

* If you intend to export using the onshore cold treatment pathway for Thailand and/or Taiwan, do not attempt to use the attached application form. Instead, please contact the Horticulture Exports Program for more information.

Exporter responsibilities

Orchards, packhouses and onshore cold treatment facilities that intend to export cherries to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan or Korea for the 2017/18 season must ensure that their respective applications are submitted by the due dates specified in the registration instructions.

Registration instructions

Orchards, packhouses and onshore cold treatment facilities must submit an annual application for export approval to the relevant peak industry body. Applications must be completed and returned by close of business on the specified due dates. Please use either the attached export application form or contact Cherry Growers Australia Inc. to complete your application online.

Growers may divide their orchard 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.

Workshops

CGA and FGT will be holding workshops for industry interested in participating in the 2017/18 cherry export season.

Crop monitor training

Crop monitor training for cherries will no longer be delivered at the annual preseason workshops. Training and assessment is now delivered online via Tocal College online eLearning hub. Click here to enrol in the online crop monitor training for cherries.

• The online crop monitor training for cherries is scheduled to open Monday, 3 July 2017.
• The assessment quiz closes Tuesday, 12 September 2017.
• The eLearning course content will remain accessible through to March 2018.

Only crop monitors who have completed the online training and passed the quiz are eligible to conduct crop monitoring for protocol markets.

Audit instructions

Growers, packhouses and onshore cold treatment facilities applying for export approval will be subject to audit by the department to ensure compliance with the relevant protocol and workplan and must be familiar with the department’s auditing requirements.

Audits will be conducted during the fortnight commencing 25 September 2017 for growers, packhouses and treatment facilities in mainland Australia and the week commencing 23 October 2017 for growers and packhouses in Tasmania. Applicants must be available during this time and have records (electronic or hard copy) available at the time of audit (where applicable). An example of the types of records that may be required at audit include:

Growers

• Spray records
• Farm diary
• Orchard hygiene records
• Crop Monitoring records
• Other evidence of control measures
• Traceability records

Packhouses

• Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Hygiene records
• List of approved growers intending to pack for during the season
• Traceability records

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources can only approve an entity for export if all protocol requirements are met. Some protocol markets will be subject to an assurance and verification regime throughout the season.

General requirements

For specific market requirements refer to the relevant workplan on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) Plant website. Workplans and protocols can be viewed on the MICoR website. To access these documents, you must be a registered MICoR Plant user and apply for access.

With the exception of export applications using the onshore cold treatment pathway for Thailand and/or Taiwan, please use the attached export application form to complete your application.

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email: Horticulture Exports Program ACT.

Mr David Ironside
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch