1 February 2019
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the kiwifruit industry that applications for exports of kiwifruit to Thailand are now open.
Summary of changes and key points
- Farms located in Victoria and Queensland are eligible to apply under the protocol agreement.
- Farm, packhouse and treatment facility managers must complete the application form and submit the completed form to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Audit Services Group by 5pm AEDT, 15 February 2019. Late submissions will not be accepted.
- Onshore cold treatment facilities must be accredited jointly by Thailand and the department to treat kiwifruit for export to Thailand. If your treatment facility is not accredited for exports to Thailand by the department, please contact Horticulture Exports Program.
- Crop monitors must complete the generic crop monitor course online through the Tocal College online eLearning hubby 22 February 2019 to be eligible to conduct crop monitoring for kiwifruit to Thailand.
- For specific market requirements, refer to the protocol on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) plants website. Protocols can be found in the Documents section of MICoR. To access these documents, you must be a registered MICoR Plants user.
- To register for MICoR, go to the registration webpage, complete all fields and then click ‘Submit’. You will be provided with your login details by email.
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Background
Countries with protocol markets have specific requirements for importing Australian produce.
The protocol for exporting kiwifruit to Thailand mandates that farms, packhouses and treatment facilities are accredited with the department prior to the beginning of the export season.
The protocol requires that kiwifruit must be produced in Australia and sourced from a Thailand approved production area. Currently, only kiwifruit produced in Victoria and Queensland are permitted to be exported to Thailand under the protocol.
For further information please see IAN 2018-23 and IAN 2018-44.
Crop monitor training
Only individuals who have completed the online crop monitor training and passed the assessment are eligible to conduct crop monitoring for protocol markets.
- Online generic crop monitor training is now open via Tocal College online eLearning hub
- Kiwifruit crop monitors require to complete the assessment by 22 February 2019
Accredited property responsibilities
Farms, packhouses and treatment facilities applying for accreditation will be audited by the department to ensure compliance with the relevant protocols and/or work plans and departmental requirements. Some entities may also be audited by the importing country authority.
Obligations for accredited properties, including management guidelines, audit guidelines and performance standards can be found on the Plant Export Operations Manual (PEOM).
Audits will be conducted in early March, Applicants must be available during this time and have the relevant records available as per the guidelines on the PEOM.
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Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email the Horticulture Exports Program.
Mr David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch