APIA, 05 MARCH 2018 (SAMOA GOVT) — The Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in collaboration with the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries through its’ Bilateral Quarantine Agreement Meetings, finally have some good news for local bananas (Musa spp.) and plantains (Musa paradisiaca) farmers.
It is now official, that we can export bananas and plantains to New Zealand.
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After two years of onsite bilateral meetings and discussions between the two trading partners, the birth of the export plan was a result and the import requirements are justified to be met for a successful export of banana and plantain into New Zealand.
The New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries will conduct audit visits of both pathways, and will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries as part of the bilateral quarantine agreement (BQA) within 1.5 years of trade commencement. It is in the pipeline that a formal signing of the Export Plan will be undertaken during the next Bilateral meeting between the two countries.
Basic Measures in place for all Quarantine regulated pests, of commercial production using standard cultivation, pest control, harvesting, inspection and packing. Supporting activities for the export of bananas and plantains into New Zealand include product traceability, training and public awareness, records management, Phytosanitary security, inspection and certification, and audit.
It is the responsibility of the Grower/Farmer;
– Register with Samoa MAF Quarantine to produce banana and plantain for export to NZ
– Be familiar with requirements to export banana and/or plantain to NZ
– Identify banana and plantain at harvest for transport to packhouse
– Maintain records
It is the responsibility of the Exporter/Packhouse facilities;
– Register with Samoa MAF Quarantine to pack banana and/or plantain for export to NZ
– Exporter will visit farms regularly to monitor for compliance to contract conditions and quarantine requirements
– Be familiar with the requirements to export banana and/or plantain to NZ
– Packing, Grading, Inspection, Secure disposal
– Maintain clean, pest free facility
– Product segregation and Phytosanitary security
– Maintain product traceability
– Train staff
– Maintain records
Furthermore to the successful export of bananas and plantains into New Zealand, Samoa is the first country in the Pacific to have a Commodity Export Plan approved under the Ministry of Primary Industries’ updated Import Health Standards system…..PACNEWS [/restrict]