BAF S ROLE IN FACILITATING AGRICULTURAL TRADE IN FIJI

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1 BAF S ROLE IN FACILITATING AGRICULTURAL TRADE IN FIJI Mr. Elvis Silvestrini, Chief Executive Officer Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, Saturday, 26 th November,2011

2 Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) BAF s Operations BAF s role in facilitating agricultural trade in Fiji Challenges we face Networking and strengthening regional quarantine authorities Summary

3 FAO Definition Biosecurity is a strategic and integrated approach to analyzing and managing relevant risks to human, animal and plant life and health and associated risks to the environment.

4 Cabinet endorsed reform of Quarantine and Inspection Division (DOA) in December Improve the quality and delivery of services Make BAF financially independent Review quarantine legislations/regulations aligning it to the WTO/SPS Agreement and Principles. Modern and expanded biosecurity service essential tool to help Fiji achieve expansion of its agricultural exports and assist in the country s economic growth.

5 Provides legal framework for the establishment of BAF Protect Fiji s agriculture sector from the introduction and spread of animal and plant pests and diseases Facilitate access to viable agro-export markets

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7 PRE- BORDER- Import Risk Analysis (IRA) Pest Status of countries Negotiate international treaties and multilateral agreements Develop standards and regulations. BORDER- Aircraft and vessel inspections Manifest screening Cargo Inspection Supervise treatment POST BORDER- Operation Kadivuka Eradication of American Iguana Taro Beetle Fruit Fly Surveillance and Management

8 BORDER CONTROL- Baggage screened at Nadi Airport BAF officer confiscates undeclared quarantine risk goods (fresh fruits and vegetables). Apples began to rot and grow fungus. INVASIVE SPECIES -Giant African Snail incepted in one of the containers at Suva Wharf. Giant African Snail an devastate Fiji s environment and horticultural industry

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10 Import Substitution Program focuses on growing local food to meet local demand Replace products that are mostly imported like beef, dairy, poultry and feed grains. Export Promotion Program- Raise agricultural exports through expansion of market access of agricultural products. BAF - establishes market access for agricultural products and secures various bilateral quarantine agreements

11 WTO/SPS Agreement and Technical Barriers to Trade requires compliance with a number of international standards be met for market access. BAF conducts research and development of effective product treatments and or management strategies to control pests of concern; Negotiates market access and the creation of bilateral quarantine agreements; and Inspects and certifies exported produce.

12 Market Access for fresh ginger to Australia Ginger-leading agricultural exports with a total export of 1,915 tonnes valued at $2.1 million. Has potential to grow further. Biosecurity Australia is conducting an important risk analysis with BAF s assistance. Decision is expected in Fresh cut flowers to Australia Helconia and Ginger Response from Biosecurity Australia encouraging Future Markets Asia, America, Europe

13 Provides basis for agricultural trade Fiji-NZ/ Fiji-Australia BQA for export of fruit fly host commodities Fiji/NZ BQA to export breadfruit, papaya, mango and eggplants. Fiji/Australia BQA to export papaya Biosecurity NZ conducted an audit on the BQA pathway (disinfestations facility HTFA- in Nadi) in March this year. Australia has also recorded very few inceptions with our papaya export to the country.

14 Fiji/Solomon Islands MOU/BQA Signed in September Covers joint cooperation in local rice production, livestock development, agriculture planning, human resource development, irrigation system management etc

15 Fiji- Australia Major breakthrough for papaya industry BA agreed to remove the 100% packing house inspection in Fiji (600 units for consignment over 1000 units, 450 for consignment below 1000 units and 100% for consignment below 450 units) Approved the use of newspaper for packaging Approved exports in loose packaging but ensure no product mix and a full trace back system in place and to be used in case of interceptions. Available options: integral cartons, ventilation holes of cartons covered polythene liners and meshed or shrink wrapped pallet. Fiji fruit from three different exporters at retail shop Green Valley Thanh Thien, Footscray Melbourne.

16 Farmers/Exporters trained and assisted in ensuring compliance to BQA. Farmers: field hygiene, crop management practices, weed control, scheduled protein bait spray for fruit flies etc. Protein bait sparing for fruit fly control. Exporters :post harvest handling and management practices. Famers advised on crop management.

17 Reduction in interception in taro exports to Australia BAF/DOA work on improving taro pathway Improving soil fertility Harvest and transportation techniques to minimise physical damage of taro Developing taro production and processing manual Conducting research on post harvest eradication of mites from exported taro disinfestations treatment and transportation. Biosecurity Australia staff on a field tour of Taro fields in Taveuni.

18 BIOSECURITY1 $240,000 surveillance boat for monitoring and surveillance in Mamanucas and Yasawas. 22 fruit fly traps have been placed. BAF Corporate Plan 2012 Surveillance boats X-ray machines for Nadi International Airports Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures Establish canine unit. BIOSECURITY 1 BAF staff conducting inspection on yachts

19 AUSAID funded Program to help PICs improve market access for agricultural products National Market Access Working Group (MAWG) - partnership between govt and private sector to manage the resolution of market access issues. MAWG is currently chaired by BAF. MAWG facilitated response to Biosecurity Australia on the draft review of import conditions of fresh taro corms Also instituted an investigation to identify the issues and aspects that affect the export of taro and ginger.

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21 Product Quality Significant constraint to the trade growth Mainly due to post harvest deterioration Industry can help- be more committed to the quarantine protocols negotiated under BQA. Incorporate it in strategic plans to ensure quality is not compromised through poor post harvesting and handling. Specialised staff Limited scientific expertise available to support quarantine market access (import and export) applications Development agencies can help Provide structured mentoring through followed by personal visits Specialists attachments of quarantine officers

22 Increase import of animal and dairy products up to 20kg for personal consumption Documents required are: Certification of Free Sale in Aust/NZ for the Company that manufactured the product Manufacturer s Declaration stating the temperature and time duration, and processing procedures, where applicable Flowchart of Manufacture of the product stating temperature and duration, and sterilization procedures, where applicable List of ingredients of the product, with percentage of each ingredient, where applicable Receipt of Purchase of the product from the supermarket, butcher, retail outlet in Aust/NZ

23 TO BE RESPECTED AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT BIOSECURITY AUTHORITY IN THE REGION BAF working with other PICs to strengthen network Enhance trade Have united voice in international forums

24 VINAKA VAKALEVU