2018-30 - Horticulture Exports Program –Applications for cherry orchards and packhouses to export to protocol markets in 2018–19

​​​​9 July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the cherry industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of cherry orchards and packhouses to export to the following protocol markets in the 2018–19 season:

• China
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Japan (Tasmania only)
• Korea (Tasmania only).

Summary of changes and key points

• Applications are now open for orchards and packhouses intending to export cherries to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, andKorea for the 2018–19 season.
• Applications must be submitted to the relevant peak industry bodies by the due dates specified in the application instructions.
• Applicants must meet all importing country requirements and will be subject to an audit by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
• Crop monitoring training for cherries is available through online eLearning.
• Information regarding applications for the accreditation of treatment facilities to treat cherries being exported to China, Thailand and Vietnam is available in the IAN 2018-29​.

Background

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

Table 1: Export pathways for cherry protocol markets.

Export Pathway	China	Taiwan	Thailand	Japan (TAS only	Korea (TAS only)	Vietnam
Area Freedom
Cold Treatment				N/A	N/A
Fumigation		N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Irradiation	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Specific market requirements are available in the relevant workplan and protocols on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) Plants website. To access these documents, you must be a registered MICoR Plants user and apply for access.

Application instructions

Orchards and packhouses must submit an annual application for accreditation to the relevant peak industry body. Applications must be completed and returned by 5 pm AEST on the specified due dates (see Table 2). Please use either the attached accredited property 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.

If you intend to apply to accredit a treatment facility please refer to IAN 2018‑29 for more information on the application due dates and requirements.

Table 2: Application due dates.

Crop monitor training

Training and assessment is available online via Tocal College online eLearning hub. Enrol in the online crop monitor training for cherries.

• The online crop monitor training for cherries is scheduled to open Friday, 13 July 2018.
• The assessment quiz closes Tuesday, 12 September 2018.
• The eLearning course content will remain accessible through to March 2019.

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

Audit requirements

Growers and packhouses applying to be accredited 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.

Growers and packhouses will be subject to audits pre-season and/or during the season. Any grower or packhouse not registered for the 2017–18 season will be audited pre-season.

Pre-season audits will be conducted in mainland Australia during the week commencing 24 September 2018 and in Tasmania the week commencing 24 October 2018. Applicants must be available during this time and have records (electronic or hard copy) available at the time of audit (when applicable).

Audits will be conducted during the week commencing 24 September 2018 in mainland Australia and the week commencing 24 October 2018 in Tasmania. Applicants must be available during this time and have records (electronic or hard copy) available at the time of audit (where applicable).

Table 3: Examples of records that may be required at the audit.

The department 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.

Transition from export listed property to accredited properties

The department, is making changes to the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Order 2011 to include the accreditation of properties for the export of horticulture products to certain protocol markets. The Order is due to commence in August 2018.

In preparation for the change, the following new instructional material for accredited properties is available on the Plant Export Operations Manual.

• Guideline: Management of horticulture export accredited properties
• Guideline: Audit of horticulture export accredited properties

For further information please see IAN 2018-23 - Horticulture Exports Program – Transition from export listed property to accredited properties and new instructional material.

Contact information

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

Mr David Ironside
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch