1

PHYTOSANITARY REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF FRESH TABLE

GRAPES (Vitis vinifera) IMPORTED FROM AUSTRALIA INTO VIETNAM

This phytosanitary requirement is developed by the Plant Protection Department (PPD), Ministry

of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam. Based on results of the Pest Risk Analysis

(PRA) report on importation of fresh grape fruits (Vitis vinifera) from Australia into Vietnam and

PRA report for the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) following pest is concluded as

quarantine pest associated with fresh table grape fruits imported from Australia into Vietnam in

Attachment 1.

1. Permitted Plant Species

Table grape fruit (Vitis vinifera L.)

2. Quarantine Pests of Concern

A list of quarantine pests of concern to Vietnam for table grapes from Australia is given in

Attachment 1.

3. Responsible Organisations

3.1. Vietnam: Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of

Vietnam (herein after referred to as PPD).

3.2. Australia: Department of Agriculture (herein after referred to as the department).

4. Requirements for Registered Export Establishments

4.1. Inspections, pre-shipment cold disinfestation, fumigation and irradiation treatments for

quarantine pests must be conducted within registered export establishments.

4.2. Export establishments are audited annually by the department and are required to have

documented standard operating procedures (SOP) covering traceability and product security

for each treatment.

4.3. Export establishments involved in the export of table grapes to Vietnam must be

registered with the department prior to commencement of export.

4.4. Inspection of fruit from recognised Mediterranean fruit fly free areas, must be conducted

in a registered export establishment located within the same pest free area.

4.5. Export establishment details for those establishments that have exported to Vietnam

under this protocol must be provided to PPD on request.

5. Management Measures for Pests of Concern

Growers participating in export trade from Australia undertake standard commercial infield

controls ensuring appropriate pest management for produce destined for export.

Verification that appropriate in-field measures have been effective is undertaken as part of export

inspection.

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6. Management Measures for Fruit Flies

6.1. Fruit flies pest free area

Table grapes originating from areas recognised as being free from Mediterranean fruit fly

(Ceratitis capitata) and Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni), which complies with

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 4 and 26 are not required to undergo

mandatory disinfestation treatment. The department will notify PPD should outbreaks of

Mediterranean fruit fly occur.

In those states / territories where these fruit flies are known occur, monitoring must be undertaken

to demonstrate fruit flies pest free places of production.

- All states and territories of Australia, except Western Australia, are free areas for Ceratitis

capitata;

- Tasmania and the Riverland are free areas for Bactrocera tryoni.

Thus, Tasmania and the Riverland are free areas for both two fruit flies.

6.2. Area not free from the fruit flies

Fruit originating from Australia (except Tasmania and the Riverland) must be subjected to one of

the following treatments:

6.2.1. Cold disinfestation treatment

Table grapes must be subjected to the following cold disinfestation treatment schedules. For

table grapes originating in areas where Ceratitis capitata or Bactrocera tryoni is present:

Fruit pulp temperature Exposure period

(consecutive days)

3oC or below 20 days or more

(DAWR, 2015)

OR

6.2.2. Irradiation treatment

Table grapes must be subjected to irradiation treatment at a minimum absorbed dose of 400

Gray for Hemiptera (Aspidiotus nerii Bouché; Diaspidiotus ancylus Putnam; Diaspidiotus

perniciosus (Comstock); Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret); Planococcus minor (Maskell);

Pseudococcus calceolariae (Maskell); Pseudococcus viburni Signoret) and these two fruit flies

(Ceratitis capitata and Bactrocera tryoni) as per ISPM 18

OR

6.2.3. Methyl bromide fumigation treatment

Table grapes must be subjected to treatment at the following rate

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Temperature Dosage rate

(gram/cu.m)

Exposure period (hour)

20 o

C or greater 32g/m3

3.5

18-20.5 o

C or greater 32g/m3

4

The loading ratio should not exceed 50% of the chamber volume.

6.3. Measures for other pests of concern.

Other pests of concern including those specified in Attachment 1, are address through

standard commercial infield controls including quality checks and standard culling and

sorting processes already part of the established export pathway.

7. Requirements for Cold Disinfestation Treatment

7.1. Cold disinfestation treatment can be performed pre-shipment or in-transit.

7.1.1. The in-transit treatment may be carried out partly as a pre-shipment treatment started

in Australia and completed in-transit.

7.1.2. In the event of a treatment failure in-transit, treatment may be completed on arrival.

7.2. Pre-shipment cold disinfestation treatment and in-transit cold disinfestation treatment

are assessed on fruit temperature sensors only.

7.3. Pre-shipment cold disinfestation treatment

7.3.1. Treatment conducted prior to shipment must be supervised by the department in a

cold disinfestation treatment facility registered with the department. Table grapes

intended for export to Vietnam may be treated concurrently with table grapes

destined for other markets.

7.3.2. If a consignment of table grapes is to undergo pre-shipment cold disinfestation

treatment, the department must ensure compliance with conditions specified in

Attachment 2.

7.4. In-Transit Cold Disinfestation Treatment

7.4.1. In-transit cold disinfestation treatment refers to cold disinfestation treatment

conducted in-transit.

7.4.2. In-transit cold disinfestation treatment in shipping containers may be commenced

on-shore and completed in-transit or completed at destination.

7.4.3. Table grapes must be pre-cooled until fruit pulp temperature is at or below the target

treatment temperature prior to initiation of the cold disinfestation treatment.

7.4.4. If a consignment of table grapes is to undergo in-transit cold disinfestation treatment,

the department must ensure compliance with conditions specified in Attachment 3.

A certificate of calibration for in-transit cold disinfestation treatment must

accompany every consignment.

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8. Requirements for Irradiation Treatment

8.1. Irradiation treatment must be conducted in an irradiation facility registered as an

export establishment with the department.

8.2. The application of the irradiation treatment must be carried out in accordance with

the relevant ISPMs. The following irradiation doses are approved for the treatment of

table grapes:

8.2.1. Minimum absorbed dose of 400 Gray for plant pests of the class Insecta except

pupae and adults of the order Lepidoptera.

8.2.2. The maximum absorbed dose for table grapes must not exceed 1 Kilogray as per

the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSC) requirements

8.3. If a consignment of table grapes is to undergo irradiation treatment, the department

must ensure compliance with conditions specified in Attachment 4.

9. Requirements for Packing and Labeling

9.1. Packing material may be made of corrugated fiber-board, polystyrene, plastic or

wooden crates that can be manufactured either from recycled material or virgin material.

Where cartons are used, they must be clean and new.

9.2. Table grapes must be packed in containers which are free from soil, sand and

contaminating plant materials e.g. leaves, twigs, plant debris or other potential carriers

of quarantine pests.

9.3. Table grapes subjected to pre-shipment cold disinfestation treatment, fumigation

or irradiation treatment and exported by sea or air freight must be packed in such a way

to ensure product security is maintained.

9.4. Table grapes transported or treated in-transit in secure self-refrigerated shipping

containers are exempt from the requirements specified in 9.3

Each pallet must have necessary information to facilitate traceability. The following

information must appear on each pallet, in English, as a minimum requirement.

9.4.1. All consignments other than those subject to irradiation

- “FOR VIETNAM”

- Country of origin (e.g. Produce of Australia, Product of Australia)

- Name of exporting company

- Name of fruit (common name)

- Export establishment registration number

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9.4.2. Irradiated consignments

- “FOR VIETNAM”

- Country of origin (e.g. Produce of Australia, Product of Australia)

- Name of exporting company

- Name of fruit (common name)

- Export establishment registration number

- “Treated with ionising irradiation” or “Irradiated (food)”

- (Optional) Food irradiation symbol to be displayed near the name of fruit:

9.5. All consignments destined to Vietnam using solid wood packing material must

comply with ISPM 15.

10. Export Inspection

Before table grapes are certified for export to Vietnam, the department must be satisfied that the

following processes required by PPD have been undertaken.

10.1. Table grapes have been inspected by a departmental inspector or an officer authorised

by the department in accordance with appropriate official procedures (aligned with ISPM

23 and 31) and found to be free from quarantine pests specified in Attachment 1; and

10.2. Table grapes that have originated from areas not recognised as Mediterranean fruit

fly free have undergone one of the management measures for quarantine pests as specified

in section 7; and

10.3. Table grapes are free from soil, sand and contaminating plant materials e.g. leaves,

twigs, plant debris or other potential carriers of quarantine pests.

11. Phytosanitary Certification A phytosanitary certificate issued by the department is required. The original copy must

accompany each consignment and include one of the following additional declarations as specified

in Attachment 5.

12. Treatment information

12.1. Cold disinfestation treatment

12.1.1. If the consignment is subjected to pre-shipment cold disinfestation treatment,

treatment temperature and period (number of consecutive days) must be

inserted in the Treatment section of the phytosanitary certificate.

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12.1.2. If the consignment is subjected to in-transit cold disinfestation treatment, the

original copy of the certificate of calibration for in-transit cold disinfestation

treatment must accompany the phytosanitary certificate.

12.2. Irradiation treatment

12.2.1. If the consignment is subjected to irradiation treatment, then the phytosanitary

certificate must include the irradiation rate in the Treatment section of the

phytosanitary certificate.

12.3. Fumigation treatment

12.3.1. If the consignment is subjected to fumigation treatment, then the phytosanitary

certificate must include the fumigation rate in the Treatment section of the

phytosanitary certificate.

12.4. For sea freight the container and seal numbers must be recorded on the phytosanitary

certificate.

13. On-arrival Inspection

13.1. Upon arrival in Vietnam, every consignment will be inspected by PPD.

13.2. In the case of live quarantine pests of concern to Vietnam as listed in Attachment 1

being found during import inspection, the following measures may be taken.

13.2.1. Fruit that has been subjected to cold disinfestation treatment

(1) Mediterranean fruit flies

(1.1) If any live Mediterranean fruit flies (any life stage) are found, the infested

consignment must be re-exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense.

PPD will immediately notify the department of the interception.

(1.2) The department shall immediately investigate the cause of such incidence

and propose corrective actions. In the case a suspension of trade has

been applied, the suspension will be lifted when the cause of non-

compliance has been clarified and corrective actions have been

implemented to the satisfaction of PPD.

(2) If any live quarantine pests other than Mediterranean fruit flies are found, the

consignment shall be treated according to Vietnamese phytosanitary

legislation.

13.2.2. Fruit that has been subjected to irradiation treatment

The irradiation rates specified in section 6 are non-lethal quarantine treatments that

address the biosecurity risk through sterilising pests of concern.

(1) If any live fruit flies (any life stage) are found, the consignment shall be released

and PPD will immediately notify the department of the interception.

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(2) If other live quarantine pests listed in Attachment 1, except pupae and adults of

the order Lepidoptera, are found in a consignment treated at 400

Gray, the consignment shall be released and PPD will immediately notify the

department of the interception.

14. Audit of Export Procedures

14.1. In the event of a suspension of trade, PPD may audit export certification procedures

in Australia prior to a decision being taken on resumption of trade.

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Attachment 1

List of Quarantine Pests

There are 10 pests with High risk rate:

Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt)

Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)

Epiphyas postvittana Walker

Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug.) Ces. & de Not

Botryosphaeria obtusa (Schwein.) Shoem

Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae van Hall

Pseudomonas viridiflava (Burkholder) Dowson

Alfalfa mosaic virus

Broad bean wilt virus (BBWV)

Arabis mosaic virus

There are 17 pests with Medium risk rate:

Aspidiotus nerii Bouché

Diaspidiotus ancylus Putnam

Diaspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock)

Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret)

Planococcus minor (Maskell)

Pseudococcus calceolariae (Maskell)

Pseudococcus viburni Signoret

Phalaenoides glycinae Lewin Greeneria uvicola (Berk. & Curtis) Punith

Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (W. Gams, Crous, M.J. Wingf. & Mugnai)

Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (W. Gams, Crous, M.J. Wingf. & Mugnai) Crous & W. Gams

Coniella diplodiella (Speg.) Petr. & Syd.

Grapevine fanleaf virus

Strawberry latent ringspot virus

Tobacco necrosis virus

Aster yellows phytoplasma group

Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense R.E. Davis et al.

_

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Attachment 1

Attachment 2

Requirements for Pre-Shipment Cold Disinfestation

Treatment

_ _

1. Requirements for Cold Treatment Facilit y

1.1 Pre-shipment disinfestation treatment must be conducted within registered export

establishments.

1.2 The department is responsible for ensuring that cold treatment facilities used by

exporters are of a suitable standard, have refrigeration equipment capable of

achieving and holding the fruit at or below the required temperature and must be

lockable to ensure the security and integrity of the fruit being treated.

2. Requirements for Temperature Recording System

The department will ensure that temperature recording system, the cold treatment data

recorders and fruit pulp temperature sensors, must meet the following criteria:

2.1 The accuracy of the system must be within plus or minus 0.3°C of the true

temperature in the range of minus 3°C to plus 3°C.

2.2 The system must be capable of automatic operation and able to accommodate a

minimum of four fruit temperature sensors.

2.3 The system must be capable of continuous recording of date, time, identification of

sensor number, and temperature during all calibrations and for the duration of

treatment period.

2.4 The system must be capable of recording all temperature sensors at least once every

hour, with a resolution of 0.1°C and storing data until the information can be

examined by the department.

2.5 The system must be capable of producing a printout which identifies each sensor, the

time and temperature, as well as the identification number of the cold treatment

facility.

3. Requirements for Temperature Sensors

3.1 Sensors must be accurate to within plus or minus 0.3°C in the range of minus

3°C to plus 3°C.

3.2 Each sensor must be individually identified with a number. This number must

correspond to the temperature reading print out produced by the temperature

recording system.

4. Calibration of Temperature Sensors

Attachment 1

1010

4.1 Calibration of the temperature sensors must be conducted under the supervision of a

departmental inspector or an officer authorised by the department.

4.2 Calibration must be conducted using a mixture of crushed ice and distilled water in

a clean insulated container prior to the temperature sensors being placed in the

fruit.

4.3 Crushed ice must completely fill the container. Enough water should be added to

stir the mixture. The percentage of ice is estimated at 80% and water is added to fill

any air voids (approx. 20%).

4.4 The mixture must be thoroughly stirred to ensure the water is completely cooled

and good mixing has occurred. At least 10 minutes is required to reach a steady state

of 0°C.

4.5 During calibration, all the temperature sensors and the calibrated thermometer must

be immersed in the ice water slurry without touching the

sides or bottom of the container. Only after the readings have stabilised at the

lowest constant temperature, can the calibration readings be conducted.

4.6 Two consecutive reading must be recorded for each sensor at the lowest temperature

obtainable. There shall be at least a 60 second interval between the two readings for

any one sensor. However, the interval should not exceed 5 minutes. The variance

between the two readings must not exceed 0.1°C.

4.7 Any sensor showing a deviation of more than plus or minus 0.3°C from the standard

0°C must be replaced.

5. Placement of Temperature Sensors

5.1 Placement of temperature sensors must be conducted under the supervision a

departmental inspector or an officer authorised by the department.

5.2 Palletised fruit must be loaded into the cold room under the supervision of a departmental

inspector or an officer authorised by the department and may be pre-cooled at the

exporter’s discretion.

5.3 The temperature sensors used to measure the fruit pulp temperature must be inserted

carefully into the fruit. With small fruit, the sensor shall penetrate two or more

fruit. The tip of the sensor must not extend beyond the fruit. Fruit can be secured to

the probes using an appropriate method.

5.4 Temperature sensors must be placed in the following locations.

5.4.1 A minimum of two air sensors must be used within the cool room.

5.4.2 A minimum of four sensors must be used to measure fruit pulp temperature

in the following locations.

(1) one at the centre of the stack, in the centre of the cold room,

(2) one at the corner of the top stack, in the centre of the cold room,

Attachment 1

1111

(3) one at the centre of the stack near the outlet of cold air, and

(4) one at the corner of the top stack near the outlet of cold air

5.5 Data logger records may commence at any time, however the treatment time will

be deemed to have begun only after all fruit temperature sensors have attained the

nominated treatment temperature.

6. Confirmation of Treatment

6.1 The treatment shall be considered to have been successfully completed if the record

of treatment indicates that the treatment parameters have been met and sensors re-

calibrated using the procedures in Section 4.

6.2 If any sensor shows a higher calibration factor at the completion of the treatment than

at the initial calibration setting, the recordings from the sensor (s) will be adjusted

accordingly. If this adjustment reveals that the nominated treatment schedule is not

met, the treatment must be deemed to have failed. There is the option of re-treating

this fruit at the discretion of the department and the exporter.

6.3 Printouts of temperature records are to be accompanied by suitable data summaries

that indicate that the required cold disinfestation treatment of the product has been

achieved.

6.4 The department must endorse these records and summaries before confirming that

the treatment has been successful.

6.5 If the required cold disinfestation treatment of the product has not been achieved,

the logger may be reconnected and the treatment continued provided that:

6.5.1 The department confirms the maintenance of the required conditions as per

section 6.3 and

6.5.2 The elapsed time since treatment cessation and re-commencement is less than

24 hours.

In both cases, data will continue to be collected from the time the logger is

reconnected.

7. Loading into Containers

7.1 Containers must be inspected by the department before loading to ensure pest

freedom and that any vents are covered to prevent the entry of pests.

7.2 Where individual boxes or pallets are not secure (e.g. not meshed or sealed), fruit

should be loaded in a secure manner.

8. Sealing of Containers

Attachment 1

1212

8.1 After completion of loading, the container door must be closed properly and

sealed with a numbered metal seal under the supervision of a departmental inspector

or an officer authorised by the department’s supervision. The seal must be intact

until arrival at the port of entry in Vietnam, where PPD inspectors only are authorised

to open it. Containers with a broken seal must be rejected.

8.2 The seal number must be recorded on the phytosanitary certificate.

9. Storage of fruit if not immediately loaded

Treated fruit not intended for immediate loading may be stored for subsequent shipment

provided security conditions are maintained.

9.1 If treated fruit is stored in the cold treatment room, the room’s doors must be secured.

9.2 If treated fruit is transferred to another room for storage, it must be transferred in a

secure manner approved by the department. The room may contain treated and secured

fruit for other markets.

9.3 Subsequent container (sea/air freight) loading must be performed under the supervision

of a departmental inspector or an officer authorised by the department in accordance

with section 7.

1313

Attachment 3

Requirements for In-Transit Cold Disinfestation

Treatment

_ _

1. Requirements for Containers

Containers must be self-refrigerated shipping containers and suitable for in-transit cold

disinfestation treatment.

2. Requirements for Temperature Recording System

The department must ensure that the temperature recording system, the combination of the

cold treatment data recorders and fruit pulp temperature sensors, meets the following criteria:

2.1 The system must be suitable for cold disinfestation treatment. The accuracy of the

system must be within plus or minus 0.3°C of the true temperature in the range of

minus 3°C to plus 3°C.

2.2 The system must be capable of automatic operation and able to accommodate a

minimum of three fruit temperature sensors.

2.3 The system must be capable of continuous recording of date, time, sensor number,

and temperature during all calibrations and for the duration of treatment period.

2.4 The system must be capable of recording all temperature sensors at least once every

hour, with a resolution of 0.1°C and storing data until the information can be

examined by PPD.

2.5 The system must be capable of producing a printout which identifies each sensor, time

and the temperature, as well as the identification number of the recorder and the

container.

2.6 The recording system may utilise individual mobile temperature recorders as long

as they can be accessed immediately inside the container door.

3. Requirements for Temperature Sensors

3.1 Sensors must be accurate to within plus or minus 0.3°C in the range of minus

3°C to plus 3°C.

3.2 Each sensor must be individually identified with a number. This number must

correspond to the temperature reading print out produced by the temperature

recording system.

4. Calibration of Temperature Sensors

4.1 Calibration of the temperature sensors must be conducted under the supervision of a

departmental inspector or an officer authorised by the department.

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4.2 Calibration must be conducted using a mixture of crushed ice and distilled water in a

clean insulated container prior to the temperature sensors being placed in the

fruit.

4.3 Crushed ice must completely fill the container. Enough water should be added to

stir the mixture. The percentage of ice is estimated at 80% and water is added to fill

any air voids (approx. 20%).

4.4 The mixture must be thoroughly stirred to ensure the water is completely cooled

and good mixing has occurred. At least 10 minutes is required to reach a steady state

of 0°C.

4.5 During calibration, all the temperature sensors and the calibrated thermometer must

be immersed in the ice water slurry without touching the sides or bottom of the

container. Only after the readings have stabilised at the lowest constant temperature

can the calibration readings be conducted.

4.6 Two consecutive reading must be recorded for each sensor at the lowest temperature

obtainable. There shall be at least a 60 second interval between the two readings for

any one sensor. However, the interval should not exceed 5 minutes. The variance

between the two readings must not exceed 0.1°C.

4.7 Any sensor showing a deviation of more than plus or minus 0.3°C from the standard

0°C must be replaced.

4.8 A calibration certificate must be prepared for each container by the departmental

officer. The original copy must be attached to the phytosanitary certificate which

accompanies the consignment.

5. Placement of Temperature Sensors

5.1 Loading of packed fruit into containers and placement of temperature sensors must

be conducted under the supervision of a departmental inspector or an officer

authorised by the department.

5.2 Containers must be packed in an appropriate manner which ensures that there is

even airflow under and around the consignment.

5.3 Records for in-transit cold disinfestation treatment require at least three temperature

sensors to monitor fruit pulp temperature in a container.

5.4 The temperature sensors used to measure the fruit pulp temperature must be inserted

carefully into the fruit. With small fruit, the sensor shall penetrate two or more

fruit. The tip of the sensor must not extend beyond the fruit. Fruit can be secured to

the probes using an appropriate method.

5.5 Fruit temperature sensors must be placed in a 6 metre (20 foot) container and a 12

metre (40 foot) container in the following locations.

5.5.1 Two fruit pulp temperature sensors must be placed in boxes diagonall y

opposite at the side walls approximately 1 metre from the end of the

1515

load for a 6 metre container and approximately 1.5 metres from the end of

the load for a 12 metre container.

5.5.2 One fruit pulp temperature sensors must be placed in a box in the centre of

the container.

5.5.3 All three sensors must be placed at mid-height of the stack.

6. Sealing of Containers

6.1 After completion of loading, the container door must be closed and sealed with a

numbered metal seal under a departmental inspector or an officer authorised by the

department’s supervision. The seal must remain intact until arrival at the port of

entry in Vietnam. Containers with a broken seal may be rejected.

6.2 The seal number must be recorded on the phytosanitary certificate.

7. Confirmation of Treatment

7.1 The in-transit arrangement is for the cold disinfestation treatment to be completed

during the voyage between Australia and the port of discharge in Vietnam. The

shipping company shall download the computer records of the cold disinfestation

treatment and forward them to officer at port of entry.

7.2 For containers equipped with mobile probes, PPD will break the container seal so that

importer representative (or PPD at their discretion) can perform a download from the

internal data loggers.

7.3 PPD must verify whether the treatment records meet disinfestation requirements and

advise the PPD officer at the port of arrival that, subject to calibration of sensors, the

treatment is complete.

1616

Attachment 4

Requirements for Irradiation Treatment

1. Irradiation facility approval

1.1. The irradiation facility intended to treat fruit for export to Vietnam must be approved

by the relevant nuclear regulatory authorities in Australia. In addition, each irradiation facility

must be registered as an export establishment with the department.

1.2. The irradiation facility shall satisfactorily comply with the following requirements.

1.2.1. Current license

The irradiation facilit y must be currently licensed by the relevant regulatory

authorities in Australia.

1.2.2. Minimum dosage

The irradiation facilit y must be capable of administering doses within limits

specified and prescribed for phytosanitar y requirements.

(1) Dose mapping

The irradiation facility shall perform sufficient validation studies (dose mapping)

to fully characterise the distribution of dose in the irradiation container to determine

the zones of minimum and maximum dose. Dose mapping activities shall be

conducted with consideration of product loading patterns and pathways used for

irradiation processing.

The information from the dose mapping validation is used in the selection of dose

monitoring locations for routine processing. Additional dose mapping is required

when significant changes are made to the irradiator, to the load or packaging that

could affect the distribution and quantity of dose.

Dose mapping shall comply with the relevant international standards. (2) Timer or

cycle validation

Irradiation exposure times to assure delivery of the specified dose shall also be

evaluated. In the case of radioisotope processing, this may involve validating timer

settings upon which product container movements are based, or in the case of

electron or x-ray processing, validating conveyor speeds.

1.2.3. Biological safeguards

The fruit shall be packed in secure packaging. A physical separation of irradiated

and non-irradiated fruits, ensuring biological security, must be

1717

maintained.

1.2.4. Documented procedures

The irradiation facility shall have documented standard operating procedures

(SOPs), defining the processing, handling, and safeguarding of regulated

commodities.

2. Irradiation Treatment for Commercial Shipment

2.1. Treatment verification

Treatment verification shall follow the relevant ISPMs.

2.1.1. Dosimetry system

Relevant international standards should be used as a guide for selection and calibration

of an appropriate routine dosimetry system that matches the dosimeter requirements

for the specific application criteria.

Prior to use, the dosimetry system shall be calibrated in accordance with the user’s

documented procedure that specifies details of the calibration process and qualit y

assurance requirements. This calibration shall be repeated when appropriate

to ensure that the minimum dose is absorbed by the targeted pests.

2.1.2. Routine dosimetry

Routine dosimetry is part of a verification process for establishing that the irradiation

process is in compliance. Dosimetry is only one component of a total quality assurance

program for adherence to good manufacturing practices. An appropriate dosimetry

system shall be selected, and dosimetry procedures shall be followed for irradiator

characterisation, process qualification, and routine processing, to ensure that the product

has been treated with the minimum absorbed dose prescribed by PPD for mitigation

of the particular target insect pest (s) presumed to infest a given commodity from a

particular origin.

The dosimetry system shall be periodically calibrated in accordance with relevant

international standards.

Once the capabilit y to process the items within prescribed absorbed- dose limits is

established, it is necessary only to monitor and record the minimum and maximum

absorbed dose during each production run, to verify compliance with the process

specifications within a predetermined level of confidence.

3. Requirements for Post Treatment Security

Irradiated fruit must be safeguarded to prevent reinfestation. The minimum safeguards

required are as follows.

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3.1. Separation of irradiated from non-irradiated fruits

The irradiation facility shall have a reliable system for separating irradiated from non-

irradiated fruits. Irradiated fruits will be secured in holding rooms/areas until loaded for

shipment. Mixing of irradiated fruits with non-irradiated or improperly irradiated fruit is

prohibited. The holding room/areas must be secured at all times to prevent infestation and

contamination of irradiated fruits with non-irradiated fruits.

3.2. Loading and transportation of containers

Containers must be inspected by the department before loading to ensure pest freedom and

that any vents are covered to prevent the entry of pests.

Where individual boxes or pallets are not secure (e.g. not meshed or sealed), fruit should be

loaded in a secure manner.

Subsequent container (sea/air freight) loading must be performed in a secure manner. If an

air shipment is delayed or the flight canceled the articles must be safeguarded until export.

1919

Attachment 5

Phytosanitory Certificate Additional Declarations

* The following statement to be included in the Additional declaration section of the

phytosanitary certificate:

(1) The fruit in this consignment was produced in a pest free area recognised as free from

Ceratitis capitata.

(2) A representative sample was inspected and found free of Ceratitis capitata, Bactrocera

tryoni, Drosophila simulans, Epiphyas postvittana, Aspidiotus nerii, Diaspidiotus

ancylus, Diaspidiotus perniciosus, Hemiberlesia lataniae, Planococcus minor,

Pseudococcus calceolariae, Pseudococcus viburni, Phalaenoides glycinae,

Greeneria uvicola and other quarantine pests of Vietnam.

*Type of treatment and details to be included in the treatment section of the phytosanitary

certificate