20 August 2018
Purpose
The purpose of this Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the table grape industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of growers, packhouses and treatment facilities to export to the following protocol markets for the 2018-19 season:
- China
- Japan
- Korea
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Summary of changes and key dates
Accreditation (export registration) applications and online crop monitor training are now open.
Online crop monitor training is open until 30 August 2018.
Grower, packhouse and treatment facility applications for accreditation will close on 14 September 2018 close of business.
Growers and packers can complete accreditation application forms through the table grape export registration system.
Treatment providers must submit the attached “Application for accreditation of treatment facilities form” to Audit Services Group (AuSG).
The Australian Table Grape Association will check, finalise and handover all applications to the department by 28 September 2018.
- Audits will commence on 5 November 2018.
- Obligations for accredited properties can be found in the Guideline: Management of horticulture export accredited properties and the Guideline: Audit of horticulture export accredited properties.
Background
The below table outlines which entities require accreditation for exporting table grapes to China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
| Protocol market | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entity | China | Japan | Korea | Thailand | Vietnam |
| Grower | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Packhouse | ✓ | N/A* | N/A* | N/A* | N/A |
| Treatment facility | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
* Accreditation is not required if product is packed in-field.
Crop monitor training
Crop monitors must complete annual training and assessment for table grapes online through the Tocal College online eLearning hub by 30 August 2018 to be eligible to conduct crop monitoring for protocol markets.
Grower and packers responsibilities
The export registration system is open until 14 September 2018.
Growers and packers must comply with:
- The protocol and work plan requirements available in the ‘Documents’ section of Micor.
- The Guideline: Management of horticulture export accredited properties and the Guideline: Audit of horticulture export accredited properties.
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 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 SOP detailing all treatment procedures and product security as outlined in the relevant work plans.
- Treatment facilities not accredited in 2017 must provide Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) with their application.
Audit requirements for grower, packers, treatment facilities and treatment providers
Prior to accreditation, growers, packhouses and treatment facilities applying for accreditation will be audited by the department to ensure compliance with the relevant protocols and work plans. Some entities may be audited by the importing country authority.
Treatment facilities must demonstrate the treatment process at the time of audit.
Audits will commence from 5 November 2018. Applicants will be notified prior to audit and must be available during this time and have the following records available at the time of audit:
- SOP
- treatment records
- traceability
- staff training
- hygiene
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding the table grape export registration system please email: Jscott@atga.net.au.
If you are a treatment provider applying for export to China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam please email your application to the Horticulture Exports Program.
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email the Horticulture Exports Program.
Mr David Ironside
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch