2019-66 - Horticulture Exports Program – Phytosanitary security policy now in force

20 December 2019

Purpose

This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise stakeholders that the new policy regarding phytosanitary security of horticulture goods for export is now in force.

Summary of changes and key points

  • The new policy on phytosanitary security including transfer records is now in force.
  • Transitional requirements no longer apply and exporters do not need to state ‘a transfer record is in place’ in their request for authorisation. 
  • Refer to the policy, available on the Plant Export Operations Manual (PEOM), to ensure you are following the correct procedures.
  • Please see IAN 2019-42, and refer to the relevant factsheet for further information.
  • This IAN supersedes IAN 2016-51. Authorised Officers (AOs) can still use the phrase ‘compliant labelling applied’ in the comments field of the Export Compliance Record indicating labelling requirements have been met, however this does not replace the need for transfer records.
  • See the flowchart in Attachment 1 to determine when a transfer record is required. 

Background

A new phytosanitary security policy was released on 16 September 2019 as part of improvements to the department’s horticulture export certification system. The introduction of the new policy aims to make it easier for all clients in the export pathway to understand and comply with the department’s phytosanitary security requirements. Following a 3 month transition period the policy is now in force.

Industry responsibilities

  • Ensure that packed product with a phytosanitary status moves securely and that a transfer record is completed for each movement that occurs prior to authorisation.
  • Provide the AO with the transfer record for the last movement prior to inspection.
  • When required by a protocol country (USA or Korea), submit a transfer certificate request to Assessment Services Group (ASG) with the transfer record and the transfer certificate template included.

AO responsibilities

  • Validate the transfer record for the last movement before inspection.
  • Upload the transfer record in Plant Export Management System (PEMS).

ASG Plant Exports responsibilities

  • Where requested, issue transfer certificates using the relevant transfer record for protocol countries only (USA and Korea).

Contact information

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

Rossana Carr
A/g Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch

Attachment 1

Flowchart on when a horticulture transfer record must be completed for the movement of goods
Flow chart outlining the new phytosanitary security policy Start Here. Has the product been grown on an accredited farm for a protocol market? If yes, has the product been packed on a farm in an accredited packhouse or in-field? If no, no transfer record is required for the product to move to an accredited packhouse. From an accredited packhouse, a transfer record is required for the product to move to a Registered Establishment. At the Registered Establishment, are inspection and authorisation complete? If inspection and authorisation are not complete, a transfer record will be required for all movements until treatments, inspection and authorisation are complete. If the inspection and authorisation are complete, no transfer record is required for the product to move to the freight forwarder or cargo terminal operator. The process ends here. Start Here. Has the product been grown on an accredited farm for a protocol market? If yes, has the product been packed on a farm in an accredited packhouse or in-field? If yes, a transfer record is required for the product to move to a Registered Establishment. At the Registered Establishment, are inspection and authorisation complete? If inspection and authorisation are not complete, a transfer record will be required for all movements until treatments, inspection and authorisation are complete. If the inspection and authorisation are complete, no transfer record is required for the product to move to the freight forwarder or cargo terminal operator. The process ends here. Start Here. Has the product been grown on an accredited farm for a protocol market? If no, is the farm in a pest free area (PFA), a pest free place of production (PFPP) or neither? If neither (farm is not a PFPP or in a PFA), no transfer record is required for the product to move to the packhouse. At the packhouse, if the product has been treated, a transfer record is required for the product to move to the Registered Establishment. If the product has not been treated, no transfer record is required for the product to move to the Registered Establishment. At the Registered Establishment, are inspection and authorisation complete? If inspection and authorisation are not complete, a transfer record will be required for all movements until treatments, inspection and authorisation are complete. If the inspection and authorisation are complete, no transfer record is required for the product to move to the freight forwarder or cargo terminal operator. The process ends here. Start Here. Has the product been grown on an accredited farm for a protocol market? If no, is the farm in a pest free area (PFA), a pest free place of production (PFPP) or neither? If the farm is a PFPP, a transfer record is required for the product to move to the packhouse, and then onto the Registered Establishment. At the Registered Establishment, are inspection and authorisation complete? If inspection and authorisation are not complete, a transfer record will be required for all movements until treatments, inspection and authorisation are complete. If the inspection and authorisation are complete, no transfer record is required for the product to move to the freight forwarder or cargo terminal operator. The process ends here. Start Here. Has the product been grown on an accredited farm for a protocol market? If no, is the farm in a pest free area (PFA), a pest free place of production (PFPP) or neither? If the farm is a PFA, is the product moving outside of the PFA to get to the packhouse? If yes, a transfer record is required for the product to move to the packhouse, and also for onto the Registered Establishment. At the Registered Establishment, are inspection and authorisation complete? If inspection and authorisation are not complete, a transfer record will be required for all movements until treatments, inspection and authorisation are complete. If the inspection and authorisation are complete, no transfer record is required for the product to move to the freight forwarder or cargo terminal operator. The process ends here. Start Here. Has the product been grown on an accredited farm for a protocol market? If no, is the farm in a pest free area (PFA), a pest free place of production (PFPP) or neither? If the farm is a PFA, is the product moving outside of the PFA to get to the packhouse? If no, no transfer record is required to move the product to the packhouse. Is the product moving outside of the PFA from the packhouse to the Registered Establishment? If yes, a transfer record is required. If no, no transfer record is required. At the Registered Establishment, are inspection and authorisation complete? If inspection and authorisation are not complete, a transfer record will be required for all movements until treatments, inspection and authorisation are complete. If the inspection and authorisation are complete, no transfer record is required for the product to move to the freight forwarder or cargo terminal operator. The process ends here.