26 October 2011
DAFF11/245L
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, has welcomed the partnership offered by Citrus Australia Limited in the implementation of improved inspection and certification arrangements for horticulture exports.
Minister Ludwig made the announcement after attending the Citrus Australia conference in Nurioopta, South Australia, today.
“The citrus industry will be trialling the use of Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Authorised Officers (AAOs), who are specially trained to manage and perform inspection functions in accordance with Australian export legislation,” Minister Ludwig said.
“I welcome Citrus Australia’s support – and acknowledge the leadership of CEO Judith Damiani who has been advocating the best possible outcome for growers.
“We are working with exporters in the industry to undertake advanced training and assessments to qualify them as AAOs.
“This training will ensure that all AAOs who inspect export plant commodities have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their job.”
The data collected from the trial will be used to demonstrate the standard and quality of AAOs.
These improvements are part of Australia’s agricultural export reform that will strengthen Australia’s world-class inspection and verification systems and reinforce our international reputation.
“Citrus Australia and key industry exporters will be working with the department to trial these improvements before the end of the citrus season,” Minister Ludwig said.
“The results of the trial will be used to inform the next steps in the reform process.”
Australian citrus exports are valued at over $70 million per annum.
For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ecri.
