AUSTRALIA

Capital:  Canberra
Population:  21,263,000
Currency:  Australian dollar
Official Language(s): English

I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)

Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.

Cherry MRLs in Top Markets - February 1, 2012

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

    A. Chemical residue standards:

(1) Australia sets its own Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for chemicals on food.  It does not defer to Codex standards in the absence of its own established MRL for a particular chemical.  (2) Australia cooperates with New Zealand in monitoring the food supply system of the two countries under the umbrella of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

    B. Monitoring chemical residues:

    (1) A governmental pesticide monitoring program for imported food is implemented by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (ASQIS), through the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS).  A distinction is made for purposes of frequency of inspections between risk categorized food and a surveillance category (low risk food).  (2) Importers, wholesalers and some retailers commonly use a private sector industry “Fresh Test Program” introduced in 2002 for the independent sampling and analysis for pesticide residues (also microbial contamination) on imported and domestic fresh fruit.  Samples are normally collected at wholesale by an independent party, the shipment is released, the sample tested and confidential reports are made back to the business requiring the tests.  An active system of investigation, corrective action and re-testing is in place should an adverse result be obtained..

    An adverse result is defined as one where the MRL is exceeded or where, under FSANZ, Australia has no established MRL for the particular chemical.  If there is no MRL, then under local law there should be no detectable residue.

    Residues of the following pesticides were detected on Pacific Northwest cherries last year:  azoxystrobin (Abound), fenarimol (Rubigan), thiacloprid (Calypso), boscalid and pyraclostrobin (Pristine), myclobutanil (Rally) and quinoxyfen (Quintec). 

    Effective May 20, 2010, FSANZ officially approved MRLs for nine additional pesticides used on sweet cherries from the Pacific Northwest:  Pristine (boscalid and pyraclostrobin); Altacor (chlorantraniliprole); Belt (flubendiamide); Rally (myclobutanil); Penbotec (Pyrimethanil); Quintec (quinoxyfen); Delegate (spinetoram); and permethrin.  The MRL values approved by FSANZ for these pesticides have been posted to the MRL table which is linked to this page.  Additional cherry requests have been submitted by the NHC for the next FSANZ MRL proposal currently under consideration for the 2011 growing season..

    C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

      None.

III. TARIFFS

Australia provides duty-free access for apples, pears, cherries and stone fruits.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

    A. Labeling requirements:

Shipping Containers

Packages containing products for intermediate sale (e.g. Northwest cherry sales to importers or retailers) requires the following information on each package:

  • Exporter details: Name and contact information

  • Importer details: Name and contact information

  • Lot Code or Number

  • Name of the fruit

  • Variety

  • Country of Origin

Note: Importer details and Lot Codes are required to satisfy the AQIS Imported Food Inspection Scheme/Program.

Consumer Packages

Packages of fresh fruit imported into Australia for sale directly to consumers must show the following information on the label:

  • Name of the fruit

  • Lot identification

  • Country of Origin

  • Net weight in metric terms

  • Best before date

  • Statement on storage conditions (For example:  “Keep refrigerated below 5ºC ”)

  • Name and address of the Australian supplier (importer)

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service officials randomly inspect imports at port of entry for compliance with labeling regulations.  More information on these inspections may be found online at  Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS).    

    B. Licenses and quotas:

      None.

    C. Currency Issues:

      None.

    D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

Apple imports are permitted from Japan, New Zealand and the People’s Republic of China.  Asian Nashi pears may be imported from Japan, Korea and the People’s Republic of China.  Chinese Ya pears and Fragrant pears may also be imported.  European pear varieties from any origin may not be imported. 

Cherry exports to Australia must undergo an interim visual inspection protocol (600 fruit per fumigation lot examined under 20x magnification) pending the outcome of ongoing fumigation trials designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of methyl bromide fumigation against spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila Suzukii or SWD).  SWD is a vinegar or fruit fly.  Additional information regarding this protocol is available from USDA/APHIS cooperators in each state.  

E.  Solid Wood Packing Material (SWPM) Regulations:

Please refer to the SWPM section of the NHC's Technical Bulletins and Industry Advice.

VI. SUBSIDIES

The Australian apple and pear producing industries do not receive subsidies for production or export.

VII.  OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Northwest Cherry Growers/Washington State Fruit Commission:

John Baker
Produce Marketing Australia
Voice:   011-612-9642-1555
Fax:      011-612-9642-1544
E-mail:  john@producemarketing.com.au 

Governmental: 

Australia:

VIII. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

USDA/APHIS has requested access to Australia for apples and stone fruit from the Pacific Northwest.

On August 3, 2004 President Bush signed into law the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.  The U.S.-Australia FTA entered into force on January 1, 2005.

Under this FTA, both countries' duty free access for apples, pears and cherries is maintained.  The U.S. canned pear duty of 15.3% will be eliminated over 18 years.

Special Thanks to -
FAS Field Office - Australia

105 South 18th Street, Suite 105
Yakima, Washington 98901, USA
Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615

E-mail general@nwhort.org