AFAS Newsletter April 2009 - Issue 10

Inside this issue:

• AFAS Training Package
• FAS Viet Nam
• FAS India
• FAS China
• Upcoming events
• Team Member Profile
• echnical Hot Tip
• Offshore Development Program Staff

Message from the Manager

Welcome to the first edition of the AFAS Newsletter for 2009.

There’s been a lot of activity since last reported in December 2008.

The annual Indian Joint System Review (JSR) was conducted in early February, and a report on the JSR is contained within this Newsletter.

Nathan Reid and I recently undertook a very successful trip to the People’s Republic of China and Viet Nam to discuss AFAS implementation in these countries. A report on the outcomes of this trip is on pages one and two..

We’ve added a new section to the Newsletter called ‘Quick Tip’, which gives advice and clarification on some of the key requirements of the AQIS Methyl Bromide Fumigation Standard.

Unfortunately, as most of you may be aware by now, we have postponed the Quarantine Regulators Meeting, which was to be held in May in Lima, Peru. We haven’t set another date as yet, but will keep you informed of developments.

Finally, just a reminder that the Offshore Development Team is here to assist you with any queries or issues you may have regarding AFAS. You’ll find a list of personnel and their contacts details on the last page of the Newsletter.

David Cox
Manager
Offshore Development Unit

Fumigation Training Packages

Fumigation Training: The development of the new AFAS Methyl Bromide Fumigation Training Package is complete, the package and supporting material is on a single CD and includes instructions on its use. English only versions are currently available for AFAS countries and translation of the package into local languages will be arranged with AFAS countries on request.

Audit Training: AQIS is currently finalising an audit training package to assist regulatory officers in the effective audits of AFAS registered fumigation companies. The package is to be piloted in India, and AQIS hopes to deliver the training to other AFAS countries.

For further information please email the Offshore Development Unit at AFAS@aqis.gov.au.

Viet Nam signs AFAS Arrangement

David Cox and Nathan Reid travelled to Viet Nam in February 2009 to hold initial discussions with the Vietnamese Plant Protection Department (PPD).

As a result on Tuesday, 21 April 2009, an AFAS Arrangement was formally signed between Viet Nam and Australia in Canberra. Mr Nguyen Quang Minh, Director General, Plant Protection | Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Mr Rob Delane, Executive Director, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), signed the Arrangement, which is the result of the efforts of both countries over the past year.

AQIS and the Viet Nam Plant Protection Department will continue to work together to develop a training program for Viet Nam quarantine officers and fumigators, with a view to achieving full AFAS implementation in 2010.

Congratulations to Mr Minh and his team, and AQIS looks forward to working closely with the Plant Protection Department over the coming months.

^{Mr Nguyen Quang Minh and Mr Rob Delane signing the Viet Nam AFAS arrangement.}

AFAS India—Joint System Review

The fourth annual Joint System Review (JSR) of AFAS in India was conducted in February. Over a two week period the audit team visited Gandhidham and Ahmedabad in Gujarat State, and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. A total of 15 AFAS accredited companies were audited, with the majority of these showing a solid level of compliance with the AQIS Methyl Bromide Fumigation Standard. The team even had time between audits for an inspiring tour of the home of Mahatma Gandhi (pictured).

AQIS would like to thank the Indian Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage staff for their hospitality and assistance during the JSR.

AFAS China

David Cox and Nathan Reid travelled to Beijing in February to meet with representatives of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to progress the implementation of AFAS in China. It was agreed that additional AFAS fumigation training would be delivered to Chinese fumigators in June 2009 and is aiming towards full implementation in September 2009.

Up Coming Events & Updates

India - Audit Training

AQIS will be delivering AFAS audit training in India for approximately 20 officers of the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage. The training will take place in Mumbai from 11 - 14 May 2009.

The Quarantine Regulators Meeting has been postponed

AQIS regrettably advises that the 2009 Quarantine Regulators Meeting in Lima, Peru, which was scheduled to take place from 18 – 20 May 2009, has been postponed until the first half of 2010. AQIS will advise invitees when a date for the next Quarantine Regulators Meeting is determined.

Indonesia - Joint System Review

11 - 20 May 2009 (confirmed)

Papua New Guinea - Joint System Review

8 -19 June 2009 (proposed)

Team Member Profile

Name: Rodney Malone

Qualifications: Bachelor of Education, University of Canberra

Previous Occupations: AQIS Import Clearance - Policy officer, Sports Bookmaker, Primary School Teacher

Hobbies: Golf, Football and enjoying time with family and friends

Role in Offshore Development Unit (ODU):

Being new to the ODU, I am very busy with training and becoming more familiar with all aspects of the ODU and AFAS in particular. My role in the ODU Audit and Review team will include involvement in the annual AFAS Joint Systems Reviews and management of the Scheme in general. I am looking forward to gaining first hand experience of AFAS in practice, helping its expansion and development and seeing the good results it can achieve.

Quick Tip

The AFAS newsletter now includes a ‘Quick Tip’ section. Each Quick Tip will highlight and explain a key requirement of the AQIS Methyl Bromide Fumigation Standard.

Quick Tip #1

Minimum Temperature.

The Standard requires the dose rate to be increased if the minimum temperature in the enclosure is expected to fall below 21°C during the fumigation. A common mistake is for the fumigator to use the temperature at the start of fumigation rather than the minimum expected temperature during the fumigation.

Obtain the forecast minimum expected temperature from the newspaper, radio, TV, etc. and write it on the fumigation worksheet before starting the fumigation. Make this a standard procedure when planning a fumigation and you can be confident the dose rate is correctly adjusted for temperatures expected to fall below 21°C.

Refer to section 1.5 of the Standard for more information.

Offshore Development Program Staff

Manager
David Cox

Development & Implementation
Nathan Reid - Manager
Gordon Weinert
Nadia Hummel

Audit & Review
Mark King - Manager
Rodney Malone
Isabella Johnston
Larissa Guyer

Policy & New Initiatives
Patricia Fox - Manager
Melessa Lawton
Vera Villinger

For further information:

For general AFAS enquiries please Contact:

AFAS@aqis.gov.au

For AQIS import conditions see:

www.aqis.gov.au/ICON

For past issues of the AFAS newsletters see:

www.aqis.gov.au/afas