New rules affect plant trade in SA
In South Australia, the Fruit and Plant Protection Act 1992 will be replaced by the Plant Health Act 2009. Changes will come into force this July however, changes affecting nursery trade will not be enforced until January 1, 2010.
Representatives from the nursery and garden industry have been liaising with Primary Industries & Resources South Australia (PIRSA) to make these changes more reasonable in regard to the effect the regulatory controls will have on the industry.
The new act places a legal obligation on transporters to provide manifests to PIRSA, advising the impending arrival of fruit, vegetables or plant material into, within, or out of South Australia. It also prescribes significant penalties for not forwarding manifests when transporting, fruit, vegetables or plant material.
PIRSA will use the current system of ICA (Interstate Certification Agreement) forms to monitor stock coming into South Australia. It will also become stricter on the current system of IVCA (Import Verification Compliance Agreement) to ‘match-up’ paperwork with the ICA system.
The IVCA also shifts some degree of responsibility onto the importer who must take some action for stock that is imported i.e. recording of imports, plant health and subsequent treatment of stock.
However, it is important to note those businesses that belong to the Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia (NIASA) or the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme (AGCAS) will have less work to do in order to abide by the new regulations.
If these accredited businesses follow some of the procedures outlined by the industry’s BioSecure HACCP certification, they will be able to import stock without IVCA certification as long as they abide by certain specifications.
For more information on the Plant health Act 2009, contact PIRSA Plant Health Operations on 1300 666 010.
To find out about becoming accredited with AGCAS, NIASA or BioSecure HACCP contact your State Association or visit the NGIA website www.ngia.com.au
