New agreements on biosecurity standards should facilitate increased fresh produce trade between China and New Zealand
A media release from the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) stated its Plant Standards team was working with its Chinese counterpart to develop import health standards and approve associated quality assurance programmes.
MAF plant imports and exports manager Stephen Butcher said in the media release a similar system by which exports are required to meet prearranged standards has been used between New Zealand and Australia for decades.
This approach was being championed at international biosecurity forums such as the International Plant Protection Convention, the media release stated.
As part of the new biosecurity measures MAF officials would be required to assess export procedures in the country of origin before any produce was shipped to New Zealand, said Mr Butcher.
“We investigate and make sure we understand the whole project pathway and assess the risks before signing the agreement. We can then agree on suitable official assurance programmes, which are formally signed off,” he said.
“When we assess, we look for documented evidence of activities such as spray diaries and training of their inspectors.”
Part of the official assurance programme would require Chinese authorities to register all vineyards producing table grapes for export to New Zealand, the media release stated. The vineyard of origin would be marked on each export carton so it could be traced back if required. Growers would also be required to follow an integrated pest management programme that included monitoring pests and diseases with chemical, biological, and cultural control measures.
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