draft minutes for prep meeting (annual … · web viewjeane de jager. goreefres logistics. ......

MINUTES FOR THE ANNUAL DECIDUOUS FRUIT COORDINATING MEETING HELD ON 11 JUNE 2014, IN OLIVE GROOVE AUDITORIUM, STELLENBOSCH FROM 09:00-12:40.

ATTENDANCE

P a g e 1 |of 32 MINUTES FOR THE ANNUAL DECIDUOUS FRUIT COORDINATING MEETING HELD ON 11 JUNE 2014, IN OLIVE GROOVE AUDITORIUM- STELLENBOSCH FROM 09:00-12:40


NAME COMPANY CONTACT NO E-MAIL

Lizel Mostert HORTGRO/ Stellenbosch University

021 808 3397 [email protected]

Suzette Poole HORTGRO Science 021 882 84 70 [email protected]

Shelley Johnson HORTGRO Science / Stellenbosch University

021 8082694 [email protected]

Lindi Benić HORTGRO/SATI 083 7084 947 [email protected]

Benard Henning PPECB 0824650772 [email protected]

Francois Moller DAFF-DIS 082 777 9768 [email protected]

Ernest Phoku DAFF-DIS 012 309 8701 [email protected]

Harold Majeng Triple D Farm 054 4311568 [email protected]

Lorna Basson Pitto 082 4294772 [email protected]

VictorM DAFF-DPH 012 3196208 [email protected]

Petro Conradie Dutoit Vrugte 023 312 1071 [email protected]

Shawn Coetzee PPECB 021 9301134 [email protected]

Salamina Maelane DAFF-DIS 012 3098703 [email protected]

Joey Coetzee DAFF-DIS 083 5140376 [email protected]

Washiela Williams DAFF-Beijing +86(10) 8532 0000 [email protected]

Daniel Benjamin DAFF-DIS 021 809 1745 DaneelBe@ @daff.gov.za

Rejoice Muavhi DAFF-DPH 012 319 6538 [email protected]

Gcobani Tsako DAFF-DIS 073 332 5041 [email protected]

Bongumusa Thobela DAFF-DPH 012 319 6151 [email protected]

Pieter van Schalkwyk LeRoux Fruit Exporters 082 8025371 [email protected]

Dawie van Wyk The Grape Company 082 0821456 [email protected]

Herschell Wilton Colors Fruit 021 807500 [email protected]

APOLOGIES

For a copy of presentations please contact Mr. Eric Mudau on (012) 319 6289. For more information please contact the respective speakers.No Subject Comments Responsible

Person1. Welcome and

objectives of the meeting

Mr. Phoku welcomed everyone and outlined the purpose of the meeting. He

also thanked all who made the 2013/14 export season a success.

Mr. Phoku

2. Introduction of Agricultural attachés from SA missions

Mr. Phoku welcomed and introduced Agricultural attachés from European

Union (EU) and China missions. He also indicated that if there are

import/export

issues related to those missions everyone is welcomed to raise them as

they will assist in clarifying those issues.

Mr. Phoku

3. Attendance/ Apologies- circulating attendance register

Attendance register was circulated and the chairperson requested all

participants to complete the attendance register so that they can receive the

minutes of the meeting.

Mr. Phoku

4. Confirmation of The agenda was confirmed and adopted. All Members


agenda

5. Overview report for the 2013/14 season, way forward and logistics arrangement for 2014/ 2015 season

i. Statistics and volumes, problems encountered on different special market, logistics arrangements and the way forward for 2014/2015.

Mr. Möller did a presentation on statistics for 2013/14 deciduous fruit export

season- table grapes to China and Israel; organic and irradiated table

grapes, apples and pears to the United States of America (USA); and apples

to Taiwan as follows:

China grapesMr. Möller indicated that 221 068 cartons of 1 120 119 cartons presented

for inspection were rejected due to the following reasons:

Unregistered orchards, Production Unit Codes (PUC) and Pack

House Codes (PHC);

Interception of mealy Bugs- Planococcus ficus;

Interception of fruit fly;

Interception of FCM;

Wrong storage facility, mixed orchards in one cartoon/ pallet and

missing stickers;

Mr. Möller (DIS)


Marking Requirements;

Too many vinegar fly;

Double stickers;

PPECB stamp and date missing.

He further indicated that table grapes should be cold treated for 22

consecutive days at pulp temperature of -0.5ºC or below.

He emphasized that for the next season:

2% sample/s would be drawn for inspections;

Only 8 Chinese Ports of entry, as stipulated on the protocol must

be used, for containers 15 ports can be used and additional ports

will only be allowed on permits issued by Chinese authorities;

Quarantine pests of concern to China should be controlled or

managed at all times and the main quarantine pests are Ceratitis

capitata, C. rosa, and Planococcus ficus.

Japan Barlinka grapes Mr Möller indicated that 0 cartons were presented meaning nothing was

exported to Japan. He further indicated that:

There is annual phytosanitary registration with Directorate Plant

Health (DPH).

Consignments will be rejected if any of the quarantine pests are


detected, non-complying documents and incorrect marking

requirements for instance, if a sticker is not printed or stamped on

the business side of the carton with all information as indicated on

the protocol and correct sizing.

A PUC will be suspended if a live fruit fly larva is found and the

period of the suspension will be dependent on the provision of

documents by the producer and an investigation by D: IS on the

PUC.

Consignment size is still a maximum of three (3) PUCs per

consignment of 10 pallets, but each pallet should contain one (1)

PUC, no mixed pallet is allowed.

A phytosanitary certificate will be issued with an additional

declaration: “The fresh fruit are not infested with Mediterranean fruit

fly”.

Container or bulk shipments are accepted.

A 2% representative sample/s will randomly be drawn per

consignment at the phytosanitary inspection point. Documentation

for containers will be couriered to the SA Embassy in Tokyo, DAFF

will courier the documents at the expense of the client / Exporter.

Israel table grapes


Mr. Möller indicated that 34% of 128 060 cartons presented for Israel were rejected, mainly due to the following phytosanitary reasons: Interception of fruit flies and pear leaf roller; Interception of banded weevil; Interception of FCM and Snout beetle.

However he also indicated that there were non-phytosanitary rejections reasons such as block number/ PHC not registered, mixed and wrong PUCs.

He emphasized that: There is annual phytosanitary registration with Directorate Plant

Health (DPH); Plantex should be applied in early spring at 50 cm shoot length and

stem barriers must be applied after pruning.

Taiwan apples Mr. Möller indicated that only 88% of 67615 cartons presented for Taiwan were passed and 7560 cartoons were rejected due to the following reasons:

Marking requirements not complied to; Interception of mealy bug.

He indicated that: PUCs, PHCs, Varieties, Block numbers must be registered with

DAFF-DPH. Packages should be clearly marked with the words “To Taiwan,

Republic of China”. Consignments should be free from codling moth and need a

Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) issued with an official quarantine


stamp, phytosanitary inspection date, packhouse code, addresses and supplying orchards.

He indicated challenges encountered during the previous season as follows:Harmonizing when DAFF inspectors and counterparts inspectors of

importing countries do inspections at pack houses and orchardsPack houses don’t comply with Taiwan conditions and requirements

and indicated that during DAFF pre – inspection of pack houses and orchards if there is non-compliance the PHC will be rejected and there will be no consulting and later arrangements.

USA organic table grapes Mr Möller indicated that 3750 of 15000 cartons presented were rejected

due to the interception of fruit flies and that on day 4 the running average

was 25%.

USA Irradiated table grapes Mr Möller indicated that nothing was exported this season.

USA apples and pearsMr. Möller indicated that:

18000 of 81 200 cartons of pears presented for inspection were rejected due to the interception of grain chinch bug, dusty surface beetle, seed bug and mealy bugs


Nothing was presented for apples.

USA Prunus

No apples were presented for inpection.

Iran Mr. Möller indicated that:

Fruits are exported from all provinces and all types of varieties;

Producers should have normal FBO code to export.

He indicated that the consignment size is a maximum of three (3)

PUCs permitted per consignment of 10 pallets, but each pallet may

contain one (1) PUC. No mixed PUCs per pallet is allowed.

He indicated challenges for previous season as follows;

Consignment notes not correlating to consignments.

Orchard numbers and Chinese character - markings and storage

facility codes missing on cartons for grapes to China

Incorrect orchard numbers on cartons for apples to Taiwan as

opposed to registrations.

Pallets not marked in accordance with ISPM 15.

“To Taiwan Republic of China” missing on cartons for apples to

Taiwan.


Permit countries Mr. Möller presented phytosanitary certification procedure to be followed

for permit markets. He clearly indicated that phytosanitary inspection

shall be conducted by DAFF for countries requesting additional

declarations apart from Perishable Product Export Control Board

(PPECB) quality inspections. The following countries were mentioned

including: India, Reunion (main requirement being cold treatment),

Seychelles Taiwan (Directive market), Mauritius, Kenya. He again

emphasized that only the latest import permit (translated if in other

languages not English) should be presented to DAFF together with

inspection request before inspection is done by DAFF.

Fully completed application form for a phytosanitary inspection to be

submitted 24 hours to the DAFF Directorate: DIS (Directorate

Inspection Services Stellenbosch.

Application to clearly state party responsible for payment of

inspections.

Phytosanitary Certificates (PC)

PCs shall only be issued at the ports where inspections take place.

PCʼs shall be presented to the DAFF for certification within 5 working


days after the vessel has sailed (For USA & Japan break bulk – PCs

to accompany consignments )

Agents to adhere to deadlines for submission of PCs for USA break

bulk vessels.

PCs for container shipments to Japan, China, USA, Israel and

Taiwan to be submitted to D:IS within 5 working days.

Challenges regarding Phytosanitary certificates were as follows;

Certain exporters frequently requesting PC to be re-issued due to

consignee/s changes/wrong weight/wrong discharge port/s.

Late submission of PC (after 5 days).

Too many errors on PC.

Wrong declarations on PC.

All supporting documents not attached to the PC.

Addendums containing wrong vessel departure date.

PC containing PUC’s that are not registered.

Mr. Moller also presented about logistics arrangement for 2014/2015

season as follows:

PC will not be re-issued and that relevant information such as

importer, exporter, and details of consignment, additional

declarations and treatments should be included on the PC and no

commercial information (VAT numbers) should be included on the


PC as that will be regarded as non-compliance.

The grace period for PC is still five days and application requesting

inspection is still 48 hours prior inspection.

He indicated that permits must be adhered to and no import

requirements will be negotiated at office level.He also indicated that

necessary documentation for export to take place are PC, stamped

PPECB export certificate, (dated, stamped and signed) addendum,

complete and translated import permit where applicable, cold

treatment certificates where applicable and inspection report where

applicable and producers are encouraged to insist on a report after

DAFF inspection.

Inspection points that will be utilized during this season are as follows:

Japan – Grapes = FPT – Cape Town

China – Grapes = FPT - C (Cape Town), FPT – D (Durban), MFT –

D , CFC – CPT, Cold Harvest – CPT & Saft - CPT

Iran – Deciduous & Stone fruit = FPT and MFT Durban, Cold

Harvest, C F G, Kromco,TAD, Molteno, C F C & Saft Killarney

USA – Grapes = FPT Cape Town, Cold Harvest , C F C & Saft

Killarney

Apples, Pears = Cold Harvest, Kromco,TAD, Molteno ,CFG & Saft

Killaney.


Israel – Grapes = FPT- Cape Town

Persimmons = Arisa – Swellendam

Taiwan – Apples = C F G, TAD, Kromco Molteno C F C, Cold

Harvest = Saft Killaney, FPT = FPT – P.E. – Coega – P.E. – Lanko,

J.D.FARMS

Tariffs for Phytosanitary inspections are as follows:

Inspection within official hours – R 0. 40 per carton

Inspection outside official hours:

From 16:00 – 20:00/Saturdays 42c per carton + half hour

Overtime rate. R 255.00 per half hour

Sundays and public holidays R 0.42 & R 340.00/half hour per

inspector and travelling hours

Industry indicated that they were impressed by the work done by DAFF

but however they were concerned about the way shippers handle the fruit

especially the temperature,. They suggested that there must be a

regulation that will bind shippers to adhere to the temperature protocol

that was recorded on the fruit from the cold stores because this is costly

to the producers and exporters since they are not insured for losses due

to failure of cold treatment. It was indicated that the cause for this may be

because shippers prepare while the container is already at the harbour


whereas they should prepare before the shipment arrive and that

containers are loaded before PPECB certificate is issued. Mr Phoku

indicated that this issue should be followed up because consignments are

re-routed to other markets because of cold treatment failure and this has

a negative impact on trade with other countries. It was concluded that a

forum including shipping lines, DAFF, Fruit SA, PPECB must be

established to discuss these issues and FPEF was assigned to convene

the committee.

Mr Moller indicated that pears from South Africa were fumigated because

of non-actionable mealy bug intercepted during inspection. He indicated

that PCR was not conducted to validate that the organism is truly mealy

bug. Mr Phoku emphasized that DAFF does not reject import permits but

do reject Phytosanitary Certificates that do not comply to the

requirements. Ms Maelane also indicated that if South Africa does not

comply to the permit requirements, DIS will evaluate the import

requirements, confirm compliance and advise the producer/ exporter on

what he/she could do. Industry was also advised to send permits to DAFF

before they engage on costly expenses.

ii. FBO updating There was no presentation from DAFF-FSQA, no comments or questions

were raised or provided during the meeting.

All members

iii. Phytosanitary Mr Mudau presented the overview report regarding phytosanitary registration Mr. Mudau (DPH)


registration and registration procedure for 2014/15 season as follows:

He indicated that it was a good season and that there was good co-

operation between DAFF and role players. He also highlighted some of

the challenges that were encountered during the past season such as:

Confusion regarding varieties/ cultivars;

Faxed registration documents;

Contradicting information between documents;

Producers not aware of the market registered by exporters on their

behalf, which is equal to non-compliance.

Mr Mudau indicated that application forms and databases of registered

facilities can be accessed on DAFF web link below:

www.daff.gov.za

Branches

Agricultural production, Health and Food Safety

Plant Health

Exporting from SA

Phytosanitary registration for special export markets.

Producers database for special export markets.

He further indicated the physical address that the registration documents

should be couriered to as follows:

Room 440/459/439


http://www.daff.gov.za/

Harvest house

Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

30 Hamilton street, Harvest house

Arcadia, Pretoria 0002

Attention: Eric Mudau (Tel: 012 319 6289) or Nthabiseng Lekwala

(Tel: 012 319 6022) or Bongumusa Thobela (Tel: 012 319 6151).

The due dates for sending registration documents to DAFF were agreed

as follows:

Table grapes: 25 July 2014; Stone fruit (USA only), Apples and pears: 01 September 2014.

Ms Benić emphasized that producers must be aware of the requirements of

a specific market before registering for special markets because nothing can

be done at a later stage after the list has been approved by the importing

country e.g. adhering to the protocol like Taiwan.

It was also indicated that producers should consider to use alpha numeric

block numbers instead of big names. Mr Phoku emphasized that the issue of

block numbers is not a challenge for DAFF, however, it is for pal tracking on

industry side and so he advised them to work out a solution that will assist

them.

iv. PPECB-Cold chain

Mr Henning indicated that:

Export notification (Q67 data) with exporter reference must be

Mr Henning (PPECB)


provided for all bookings at least 24 hours before loading;

Only PPECB approved cargo, meeting the specific importing country

specification will receive PPECB export certificate;

Shipping lines must provide both electronic and hardcopy

temperature downloads to PPECB within six (6) hours prior to the

vessels Estimated Time of Departure (ETD);

PPECB port offices will make out the cold treatment certificates;

Documents must be signed by PPECB and DAFF;

Once all documents are in order, DAFF will issue PC;

Containers must be monitored continuously while packed,

transported, stacked, shipped and en-route to destination port;

Loading from a PPECB/DAFF accredited loading point under PPECB

supervision;

Product must be within protocol temperature, as per specific country

requirement, refer to cold treatment yellow card.

No temperature dispensations (T13) are allowed.

He also outlined a number of challenges experienced during the season

as follows:

Last minute calibration of probes in depots;


Lower DAT in cold stores to meet cut off times;

Pressure on PPECB to scrutinize sometimes late and incorrect

temperature downloads while units are on board;

Last day of stack loading dates not stipulating selected protocol on booking

(Nigeria).

He also indicated some basic requirements to be followed next season as

follows:

Annual re-inspection by PPECB before the start of the season,

applications will be in October;

Inspections/calibrations will be done in November/December 2014;

Facility must be PPECB/DAFF/FBO accredited meaning it must meet

strict hygiene conditions.

6. Use of irradiation as mitigation measure option

6.1 i. Export of irradiated table grapes and Prunus spp.

Mr Möller presented the export requirements of irradiated table grapes and

plum cultivars to USA as follows:

For export to this market, obligatory pre-clearance, insect proof packing

material, irradiation from an approved irradiation plant and special market

Mr. Möller (DIS)


(Plumcots, Apricots and Sweet Cherries)

requirements are necessary.

All production areas and cultivars are considered for this market based

on compliance to the above mentioned requirements and critical

quarantine pests such as Ceratitis capitata – Mediterranean fruit fly,

Ceratitis rosa – Natal fruit fly, Thaumatotibia leucotreta- False codling

moth (FCM), Eutetranychus orientalis – Oriental red mite, Phlyctinus

callosus - Vine snout beetle, Ceratitis quinaria- Five spotted fruit fly,

Macchiademus diplopterus- Grain Chich Bugs e.t.c.

The implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for control of

quarantine pests is mandatory and includes:

Fruit fly trapping and weekly monitoring;

Weekly monitoring of pests by trained scouts;

Spray programmes and weekly orchard sanitation;

Detailed and updated records must at all times be available for

verification and audit purposes.

Phytosanitary registration procedure for these commodities is the same as

the others but for this market PHC managers/ owners need to sign the

HEPRO co-operative and operational agreement.

Mr Möller indicated that:

Cartons of irradiated table grapes to be used should be 4,5 Kg

cartons;


Cartons stickers with the word “Radura” should be attached on bags

or packages containing fruit insect proof boxes;

Sticker information should include PHC, PUC, Treatment Facility

Code (TFC) and Treatment Identification Number (TIN) for

traceability;

All openings in the packages should be covered with a plastic inner

bag with holes not more than 0.8 mm at its widest point;

Use two mini pallets to make up a full pallet (See guidelines for

packaging);

Inspection point to be used is FPT- Cape Town and USDA passed

sticker will be affixed on two sides of passed pallets after inspection;

Consignments will be rejected if any quarantine pests are found

during phytosanitary inspection;

For irradiated table grapes, each consignment will be accompanied

by a phytosanitary certificate with additional declaration stating that

the fruit in this consignment was inspected and found free of the mite,

Eutetranychus orientalis. The fruit in the consignment was treated by

irradiation with 400 Gray (Gy) as the minimum absorbed dose;

For plum cultivars, each consignment will be accompanied by a PC

with additional declaration stating that the fruit in the consignment

was treated by irradiation with 400 Gy as the minimum absorbed


dose, inspected and found free of pests or pupae of pests of

quarantine concern.

No consignment of irradiated table grapes was exported to USA.

Plums for export to the USA were present but challenges led to the fruit not

being exported.

7.7

Status of Bactrocera invadens in South Africa and PUC surveillance of Bactrocera invadens for the deciduous industry as part of the registration requirements for the next season

Mr Venter indicated that:

The pest Bactrocera invadens (BI) has spread to our bordering

countries and is occurring in northern Namibia, north and eastern

Botswana, northern Mozambique and north central Zimbabwe;

It was first detected in 2010 in South Africa (SA) and was successfully

eradicated;

It was again detected in 2011 and was again successfully eradicated;

Again it was detected in 2012 and is still under control;

Legislations and actions to regulate this pest are the Agricultural

Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983), its subordinate legislations,

SABIFF action Plan, Quarantine area, Official order and phytosanitary

measures.

He further indicated that:

BI is present in Vhembe district in Limpopo province but absent in all

the other provinces;

There are some areas outside the Vhembe district where low

Mr. Venter (DPH)

M


populations were detected which is currently under quarantine and

being eradicated as in 2012. Those areas are mainly along the

Mopani and isolated areas in the Bohlabela, Waterberg and Ehlanzeni

districts;

No one should move fruit from one country to another without permit

and everyone should develop a habit of good sanitation and early

detection.

Mr Venter indicated that:

Surveillance data must be submitted with registration documents as

part of the 2014 season registration requirement;

All producers must continue to implement PUC surveillance for BI;

In 2008, USA issued a Federal Order which prohibits trade with

infested countries unless from pest free areas, grown in isolated

structures or treated with an approved post-harvest treatment;

Each producer should have one Methyl Eugenol (ME) baited trap per

100ha for each PUC and traps must be serviced regularly according

to surveillance procedure;

Standard trapping forms should be used to fill in the trapping results;

Falling fruit must be buried and covered to kill pests, placed in black

plastic bag and regular weeding in orchards to clean rows will reduce

pests as some weeds may be alternative hosts.


Professor Pringle requested to know what must be done if a fly is found in

a new area. He also raised a concern that there is no data for movement

of fruit domestically but only data for export is available which he

indicated it makes it difficult for researchers to conduct PRA

Mr Venter indicated that eradication and surveillance must be conducted

if a fly is found in a new area and .he indicated that domestic movement

for mango will be under control and that there is a legal obligation to it.

Ms Benić emphasized that if role players found suspicious pests they

must quickly report.

8. Overview and Panel discussion (openfloor)

i. Table grapes a. Barlinka table grapes to Japan Ms Benić indicated that the request for inclusion of other cultivars to

access Japan market is in progress and all the requested information has

been communicated to Japan for their consideration.

b. China Ms Maelane indicated that Gogo cold storage in Marble Hall will be used

for table grapes export this season.

Panel: HORTGRO, SATI, DAFF, PPECB.


Industry raised a concern that they are instructed to put three probes on

their consignments but however when the consignment reaches China

they get a report that the probes are missing or failed. Mr Henning

indicated that three probes are put per consignment and with regard to

this concern they should report to PPECB. Mr Griesel advised role

players not to rely on surveyors regarding handling of their consignments

since they are not specialists on technical issues.

Ms Benić indicated that they will use the current protocol for this coming

season, however, they will request review on the protocol without

stopping the programme.

c. Israel Industry requested the DAFF to find out from Plant Protection and

Inspection Services whether they will be sending an inspector for

preclearance inspection this season in order to allow them to budget for

it.

ii. Apple and Pear

a. TaiwanIndustry raised a concern that the programme was delayed by two weeks

for exporting apples to Taiwan. It was indicated that the list of facilities

intending to export apples to Taiwan was approved late and it was a

challenge since some consignments were ready for export earlier. Ms

Benić indicated that this was due to factors like change of information



provided late, non-compliance of facilities when the Taiwanese inspector

has arrived and time taken to fix those facilities. She also emphasized

that this season there will be no tolerance for non-compliance to avoid

unnecessary delays.

b. MexicoThe Industry indicated that it is impossible for them to comply with the

requirements for the export of apples to Mexico with the current protocol

in place.

c. IranMs Benić indicated that those who are struggling to get permits for this

market must contact DIS for assistance. The Industry indicated that apart

from permits or Phytosanitary issues, there are also commercial issues

that prevent trade with this country.

10iii. Other markets

where additional declaration and/or treatment required.


a. Reunion

Mr Phoku indicated that Reunion is not a steri market.

b. EU Ms Benić indicated that there has been interception on nectarines due to

grain Chinch Bug which is a hitchhiker. She further indicated that they

propose to do a PRA and intercepted fruit will be re-routed to other

markets.

Mr van Wyk indicated that False Codling Moth (FCM) is also reported to

be found in the consignment destined to Germany during the previous

season and that the volume of FCM rejections on fruit exported to China

is also a concern. Role players were encouraged to be more active in

trapping FCM.

c. Philippines Ms Benić requested DIS to provide the statistics of fruit exported to

Philippines and she indicated that it is a permit market not a special

market. She also emphasized that exports were taking place before

official market access was requested and no problems were



encountered.

Mr Phoku requested industry to clarify whether the DAFF should continue

to issue PCs for exports to this market taking consideration that industry

has now requested the PRA process to be initiated which will be costly

and it is currently at an advanced stage.

d. Seychelles It was indicated that exports are taking place and no problems have been

encountered, however, there is a misunderstanding with the import permit

which does not specifically stipulate whether cold treatment should be in

transit or not.

9. Potential new special programs

i. Apple to China Mr Silimela indicated that AQSIQ experts visited SA facilities intending to

partake in the export of apples to China on 08 – 15 June 2014.

The draft protocol was initialed by both DAFF and AQSIQ delegates.

Preliminary registration will be done concurrently as with other markets.

The DAFF is in the process of getting the document to be signed by the

ministers of the two countries and he thanked all role players who took

part and their support during the visit.

ALL Panel: HORTGRO, SATI, DAFF, PPECB,


ii. Mexico table grapes

Ms Benić indicated that Mexico requested additional information for one

pest and other logistical issues which the industry has provided part of it

to DAFF.

iii) Thailand Mr van Wyk indicated that due to political instability, all issues are

inactive and an invitation for the experts to visit facilities in SA was made,

however, no response has been received yet. He also indicated that

Department of International Relations and Cooperation and Department

of Trade and Industry are also assisting in handling the situation.

Ms Benić indicated that previously table grapes were not a special market

programme but due to interceptions of FCM they now want to make it a

special market programme.

10. Risk management

i. Wood packaging material issues

Mr Phoku indicated that there is no issue except the issue regarding the

continuation of methyl bromide use for quarantine purposes. He Emphasized

that the use of methyl bromide will end in 2015, however, they are trying to

find out if service providers can be allowed to continue using methyl bromide

to finish the stock (left overs) that they still have beyond 2015.

Mr. Phoku (DIS)

11. Other matters None All participants12. Closure Ms Benić thanked Mr Phoku for chairing the meeting and the attachés for

their presence and all who attended the meeting.

Mr Phoku


Mr Phoku thanked all participants for their attendance, Ms Benić for her hard

work and wished all a good export season .The meeting adjourned at 12:40
