2018-29 - Horticulture Exports Program – Application for accreditation of treatment facilities, for the export of cherries and summerfruit to China, Thailand and Vietnam

​9 July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise treatment facilities that applications are now open for the accreditation of facilities to treat cherries and summerfruit being exported to the following protocol markets in the 2018–19 season:

• China
• Thailand
• Vietnam.

Summary of changes and key points

• Applications are now open for the accreditation of facilities to treat cherries and summerfruit being exported to China, Thailand and Vietnam.
• Applications must be submitted by 5 pm AEST, Friday, 27 July 2018.
• Treatment facilities must be a registered establishment under the Export Control Act 1982.
• Treatment facilities not accredited in 2017 must provide Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with their application.
• Applicants must meet all importing country requirements and will be subject to an audit by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
• Treatment facilities must contact the Horticulture Exports Program (HEP) if they intend to treat products for export to other protocol markets not listed in this IAN.

Background

Countries with protocol agreements with Australia have specific requirements for importing Australian cherries and summerfruit (see Table 1). Some protocol markets require the department to provide a list of treatment facilities before exports can commence.

Table 1: Treatments available for cherry and summerfruit exports to China, Thailand and Vietnam.

¹ Combination fumigation and onshore cold treatment must be conducted within the same facility.

Treatment provider responsibilities

All treatment facilities applying for accreditation to treat prescribed goods must be a registered establishment under the Export Control Act 1982.

Additionally, there are a number of requirements that a treatment facility must meet prior to application for accreditation. The treatment provider must:

• comply with the protocol and work plan requirements available in the ‘Documents’ section of the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor).
• comply with the department’s treatment standards (AFAS Methyl Bromide Fumigation standard and Australian phytosanitary treatment application standard for cold disinfestation treatment).
• be familiar with Volume 12: Treatments on the Plant Export Operations Manual.
• maintain SOPs detailing all treatment procedures and product security as outlined in the relevant work plans.

Audit requirements

Prior to accreditation, the department will undertake an audit of the treatment facility to ensure they meet the requirements and are suitably equipped to carry out the specified treatments.

Treatment facilities must demonstrate the treatment process at the time of audit.

Overseas countries may, with the assistance of the department, send government officials to Australia to conduct onsite audits of treatment facilities.

Audits will commence from 24 September 2018. Applicants will be notified prior to audit and must have the following records available at the time of audit, when applicable:

• SOPs
• treatment records
• staff training
• hygiene records.

After successful accreditation, treatment facilities may apply for other commodities without audit.

Application requirements

Treatment facilities must apply by completing the attached form “Application for accreditation of treatment facilities for the export of cherries and summerfruit to China, Thailand and Vietnam”.

Applications must be submitted to Audit Services Group by 5 pm AEST, Friday, 27 July 2018.

Treatment facilities not accredited in 2017 must provide a Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with their application.

Contact information

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

Mr David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch