Blueberry rust host produce

Compliance Agreement for Importing Host Produce Version 3.0

Revision register

© State Government of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2004. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

ISBN 1 74146 127 8

For further clarification or advice on any area covered in this publication, please contact Plant Standards on (03) 9210 9390.

Authorised by the Victorian Government Department of Environment and Primary Industries Plant Standards 621 Burwood Highway, Knoxfield, Victoria 3156

Disclaimer

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Contents

1. Purpose
2. Scope
3. References
4. Definitions
5. Responsibility
6. Requirement

• 6.1. Treatment
• 6.2. Certification
• 6.3. Verification of the Consignment
• 6.4. Release of Consignment
• 6.5. Rejection and Control of Non conforming Material

7. Accreditation

• 7.1.1. Application for Accreditation
• 7.1.2. Desk Audit
• 7.1.3. Training
• 7.1.4. Audit Process
• 7.1.5. Certificate of Accreditation
• 7.2. Nonconformances and Sanctions
• 7.2.1. Nonconformances
• 7.2.2. Suspension and Cancellation
• 7.2.3. Prosecution
• 7.3. Charging Policy

8. Records and Documentation

• 8.1. System Records
• 8.2. System Documentation

9. Attachments

1. Purpose

This compliance agreement (CA) describes the requirements for importing blueberry rust host produce from within 200km of a blueberry rust outbreak into Victoria..

2. Scope

This CA covers procedures for verification and record keeping for ensuring consignments of blueberry rust host produce from blueberry rust affected areas are accompanied by certification indicating property freedom or inspection and treatment for blueberry rust.

Blueberry rust outbreaks are known to occur in the following northern areas of New South Wales: Corindi and Woolgoolga (near Coff's Harbour). Other major towns within 200km of these outbreaks include Grafton, Lismore and Armidale.

3. References

Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995

4. Definitions

Act means the Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995.

Application for Accreditation means an application for accreditation of a business.

Audit means the verification activity for evaluation of conformance or non-conformance with accreditation requirements.

Authorised Inspector means an inspector authorised under the Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995.

Authorised Signatory means an officer of an accredited business whose name and specimen signature is provided as an Authorised Signatory on the application for accreditation.

Authenticated Copy means a fax copy of a Plant Health Assurance Certificate that is provided by an accredited grower/packer as a means of verifying certification in situations where the original has been lost. It must be signed and dated by the accredited grower/packer and endorsed with the words "this is a true copy of the original". A fax copy of a Plant Health Certificate is only acceptable when faxed directly from the applicable interstate agriculture department (with the fax header clearly indicating the sender) to the receiver in Victoria.

Blueberry Rust means the exotic fungal disease Pucciniastrum vaccini.

Business means the legal entity responsible for the operation of the facility and arrangement detailed in the business' application for accreditation.

Compliance Agreement (CA) means an agreement with the DEPI whereby the business undertakes to perform verification and recording procedures as documented in this manual.

Consignment means a discrete quantity of packages consigned to the one business at the one time covered by a single Plant Health Assurance Certificate or Plant Health Certificate.

DEPI means the Department of Environment and Primary Industries Victoria.

Plant Health Assurance means certification issued by an authorised signatory of a Certificate (PHAC) business that has been accredited by the department responsible for agriculture in another state or territory.

Plant Health Certificate means a certificate issued by an officer of a department (PHC) responsible for agriculture in another state or territory

5. Responsibility

The position titles used reflect the responsibilities of staff under the agreement. These positions may not be present in all businesses, or different titles may be used for staff who carry out these responsibilities. One person may carry out the responsibilities of more than one position.

The Management Representative is responsible for ensuring that:

• the business is accredited and all locations where verification is to occur are nominated in the application;
• suppliers are informed of certification requirements; and
• staff are trained and are familiar with this agreement. The Certification Controller and deputies are responsible for:
• ensuring receivals are segregated until verification has been completed;
• keeping certificates and receival records for auditing by the DEPI; and
• isolating material not meeting verification requirements and informing the DEPI.

6. Requirement

6.1. Treatment

Fruit of Vaccinium spp. (including blueberry, cranberry and huckleberry) sourced from within 200km of a blueberry rust outbreak must be treated in accordance with the following requirements:

• inspection within 14 days of harvest and no blueberry rust is detected; or
• spraying within 14 days of harvest with a pre-harvest application of a fungicide registered for the treatment of blueberry rust as per label recommendations; and
• each consignment is free of soil and organic matter.

6.2. Certification

Consignments from areas located within 200km of a blueberry rust outbreak must be accompanied by either a:

• Plant Health Certificate (PHC); or
• Plant Health Assurance Certificate (PHAC) (attachment 4).

6.3. Verification of the Consignment

Upon receival of blueberry rust host produce from within 200km of an outbreak of blueberry rust, the Certification Controller shall:

• ensure that each consignment of produce is accompanied by a PHC or PHAC;
• check contents of the consignment (quantities and varieties) match the certificate;
• check certificate details are complete and have been signed and stamped in the case of a PHC, and signed in the case of a PHAC;
• mark the certificate with the word "Verified", then initial and date;
• record the consignment details in the Produce Receival Record;; and
• file the certificates .

6.4. Release of Consignment

The Certification Controller can release consignments once verification activities have been completed.

6.5. Control of Non conforming Material

Consignments arriving without certification, or with incorrect certification, cannot be released for sale or use until a valid certificate is obtained. The Certification Controller may contact the supplier and seek an authenticated copy.

If a certificate cannot be obtained the consignment must be segregated from other material, labelled "Hold for Verification" and the DEPI notified immediately.

7. Accreditation

7.1.1. Application for Accreditation

A business seeking accreditation under this CA must contact Plant Standards at least 10 working days prior to the intended date of commencement of receival of produce.

The business will receive an Application for Accreditation (See Plant Standards Officer for an Application Form), two Legal Agreements, Register of Transport Companies (Attachment 3) and this CA Manual. A business shall apply for accreditation by lodging the completed documentation (Application for Accreditation, Legal Agreements and Register of Transport Companies) with the fee payment to Plant Standards (refer to 7.2).

7.1.2. Desk Audit

Plant Standards will review the Application for Accreditation upon receival and will inform the business if there is any information missing, or the need for alterations.

7.1.3. Training

Upon acceptance of the Application for Accreditation, Plant Standards will arrange with the business training for key personnel, as listed on the Application for Accreditation, to perform CA functions.

A record of this training shall be kept on the Register of Key Personnel (see attachment 2).

7.1.4. Audit Process

Initial audit

Prior to accrediting a business, an Inspector shall conduct an initial audit to verify the business is capable of operating in accordance with the requirements of the CA.

On completion of a successful initial audit, applicants will be granted accreditation and posted a Certificate of Accreditation.

NOTE: The agreement will become operational when the DEPI, issues a Certificate of Accreditation to the business.

Compliance audits

Compliance audits are conducted to verify that the business continues to operate in accordance with the requirements of the CA. Wherever practical, audits are conducted when the arrangement is operating.

Compliance audits are conducted within four (4) weeks of the initial audit and accreditation of the business, and within four (4) weeks of the business applying for re-accreditation.

A compliance audit is also conducted between six and nine months after the date of accreditation for an arrangement that operates for more than six months of the year.

Where possible, these compliance audits will be timed with other visits by the DEPI.

Unscheduled audits

Unscheduled compliance audits may be conducted at any time to investigate reported or suspected nonconformances.

Re-accreditation

Accredited businesses are required to re-apply for accreditation each year for continuation of the arrangement. Business' seeking re-accreditation must lodge a renewal application prior to accreditation lapsing or if accreditation has lapsed, prior to being reaccredited to verify produce under the arrangement

7.1.5. Certificate of Accreditation

An accredited business will receive a Certificate of Accreditation, which must be made available upon request by an Inspector.

7.2. Nonconformances and sanctions

7.2.1. Nonconformances

If, in the opinion of the auditor, there is evidence indicating that there has been a failure to meet one or more accreditation requirements, the auditor may raise a Nonconformance Report (NCR). Actions required to address the nonconformance should be discussed and recorded on the NCR.

If the integrity of the accreditation has been significantly compromised, the nonconformance may provide grounds for the suspension or cancellation of the accreditation, and prosecution.

7.2.2. Suspension and Cancellation

The DEPI may suspend or cancel an accreditation when an accredited business is found, for example, to have:

* obtained accreditation through the provision of false or misleading information;

• not paid fees owing to the DEPI;
• contravened an accreditation requirement that compromises the integrity of the arrangement
• not rectified a non-conformance;

Any action taken by the DEPI to suspend or cancel an accreditation shall be provided in writing to the business. This shall also provide guidance on the lodgement of a written appeal requesting that the decision be reviewed.

7.2.3. Prosecution

Businesses found to be operating contrary to the Act may be liable for prosecution.

7.3. Charging Policy

The business will be charged an annual accreditation fee. This fee may be waived if other accreditations are held by the business.

A fee will be charged for all scheduled audits conducted on the business. Unannounced audits will not be charged. The DEPI can be contacted for a schedule of fees.

8. Records and Documentation

8.1. System Records

The Business shall maintain the following records

• Plant Health Certificates;
• Plant Health Assurance certificates, issued from an accredited grower under an Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) arrangement;
• Register of Transport Companies;
• Register of Key Personnel;
• Produce Receival Records.

Records shall be retained for a period of not less than 36 months. These records shall be made available on the request of an auditor.

8.2. System Documentation

The Business shall maintain the following:

• a copy of the current Application for Accreditation;
• Legal Agreement;
• a copy of this CA; and
• a current Certification of Accreditation. These documents shall be made available at the request of an auditor.

9. Attachments

Attachment 1 - Produce Receival Records
Attachment 2 - Register of Key Personnel
Attachment 3 - Register of Transport Companies
Attachment 4 - Plant Health Assurance Certificate

Attachment 1

Produce Receival Record

Name of Business:
Record Number

* Column for noting problems and discrepancies.

PSF-32 © State of Victoria 2004 Page 1 Version 3.0 (Feb 2004)

Attachment 2

Register of Key Personnel

Name of Business:

Attachment 3

Register of Transport Companies

Please list the Transport Companies that carry host material to your Business. Submit a copy of this with your Application for Accreditation and keep a copy for regular updating.

Date of entry ____________________
Entered by: ________________________

Attachment 4