afas newsletter december 2008 - issue 9

Inside this issue:

• AFAS Launch in the Philippines
  
• Team Member Profile
  
• Malaysian AFAS Joint System Review
  
• AFAS Launch in Papua New Guinea
  
• AFAS 'Under Investigation' Category
  
• Thailand AFAS Joint System Review
  
• Onshore Fumigation Training and Auditing

Message from the Manager

Welcome to the final edition of the AFAS Newsletter for 2008.

It’s hard to believe that the year is almost finished, and what a busy year it’s been!

Much has happened since the last edition of the newsletter. Of particular note is the implementation of AFAS in Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. We congratulate them on their achievements and warmly welcome them both into the program.

In keeping up to date with developments in fumigation technology, David Cox attended the Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation in Stored Products Conference in Chengdu, China and I participated in the Methyl Bromide Alternatives Outreach Conference in Orlando, Florida. Both of us presented papers on AFAS and greater global quarantine cooperation.

We are also very pleased to report that AQIS has been successful with its APEC funding proposal to conduct another Quarantine Regulators Meeting in Lima, Peru next year.

From all of the AFAS team, we sincerely thank everyone who has worked with us during 2008, and we enthusiastically look forward to 2009.

Patricia Fox
Acting Manager
Offshore Development Unit

AFAS Launch in the Philippines

AFAS Philippines was officially launched on 2 December 2008. To commemorate the occasion, a ceremony was held at the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in Manila. The Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr Rod Smith, presented BPI with a plaque on behalf of AQIS.

To date, 63 candidates, both BPI officers and Industry, have been and AFAS accredited.

^{From left to right: Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith, Joel Rudinas (BPI) and Larry Lacson (BPI) at the launch of AFAS in the Philippines}

As part of AFAS implementation, Train-The-Trainer training was delivered to six BPI officers in March 2008. The BPI training team delivered their first round of in country AFAS fumigation training from 4 - 8 August 2008, to 13 BPI officers and Filipino fumigators. Each candidate participated in classroom training and theory assessment at the BPI offices in Malate and practical training and assessment at the Baseco integrated container terminal in the Manila port area.

Nathan Reid (AQIS) and John Field (AQIS Fumigation Consultant) travelled to Manila to observe and assist the BPI training team with both the theory and practical assessments of the 13 candidates. The outcome of the assessment activities indicated that the training delivered by the BPI training team was effective, of a high standard and consistent with AFAS fumigation training requirements.Nathan and John also visited several fumigation companies where they were able to provide advice in relation to equipment and documentary requirements in preparation for the companies' AFAS registration assessments.

Team Member Profile

Name:
Gordon Weinert

Qualifications:
Diploma V in Project Management and Lead Auditor – Management Systems

Previous Occupations:
AQIS Exports - Policy officer
Hermes Precisa Pty Ltd—Manager – Major Projects
Hermes Precisa Pty Ltd—Manager – Quality Systems and Operation Manager

Hobbies:
Golf, Horse racing, Rugby League, Food and wine.

Role in ODU:
Currently I am involved in developing the range of packages used for the AFAS training. I recently returned from Thailand where I participated in my first JSR. This was a great experience for me as I was able to get first hand view of the improvements in fumigations practices that AFAS can bring.

Malaysian AFAS Joint System Review (JSR)

The annual Malaysian AFAS JSR was held in Malaysia from 6 - 17 October 2008.

The JSR audit team comprised Daryl Crapp (AQIS), John Field (AQIS Fumigation Consultant) and Malaysian Crop Protection and Plant Quarantine (CPPQ) officers. New Zealand Biosecurity was also represented by Paul Hallett who observed the JSR in the second week.

Seventeen registered companies located in Ipoh, Kuantan, Johor Bahru and Port Klang were audited. The audit team was impressed with the commitment shown by fumigators and quarantine officials in working cooperatively to improve fumigation practices in Malaysia.

The audit team wishes to thank all CPPQ officers that helped make the JSR a success, and AQIS looks forward to working with them in the future.

^{From left to right: Hafiz Othman, Muhaida Mohammad, John Field, Daryl Crapp, Mokhtarud-Din Bin Husai, HJ Nasir Bin Meor Ahmad, Paul Hallett, Mohd Ridzuan Bin Ismail}

AFAS Launch in Papua New Guinea (PNG)

^{Andrew Yamanea (NAQIA) and Nathan Reid (AQIS) at the launch of AFAS in PNG}

The implementation of AFAS in PNG took place on Monday 3 November 2008. A ceremony was held at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby to commemorate the occasion. Representatives from the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA), AQIS, AusAID and the PNG Fumigation Industry attended the ceremony. The Australian Deputy Head of Mission, John Feakes, hosted the launch of AFAS PNG and presented NAQIA with a plaque on behalf of AQIS.

To date, 69 NAQIA officers and fumigation industry representatives have undertaken methyl bromide fumigation training. As part of AFAS implementation, Train-The-Trainer training was delivered to four NAQIA officers in October 2007. In addition, audit training was delivered to 15 NAQIA officers in January 2008. Further assessments of candidates who were trained by NAQIA officers was conducted in June 2008. AFAS training has given NAQIA the required skills to regulate export and import fumigations.

AFAS ‘Under Investigation’ Category

In consultation with AFAS countries, AQIS has implemented a new category - “Under Investigation” - from 1 August 2008.

The categories that are referred to in Treatment Providers’ Lists for AFAS fumigation companies are:

• Acceptable
  
• Under Investigation
  
• Suspended
  
• Withdrawn

Once a fumigation company is placed “Under Investigation”, their fumigation certificates will not be accepted, and there will be no allowance made for goods in transit. Importers will have the option of referring the consignment for a full unpack inspection by AQIS officers or have the consignment re-treated in Australia, re-exported to the country of origin or destroyed. If a consignment has been directed for inspection and found to be free of insects, it can be released.

In line with the current practice for suspended or withdrawn companies, AFAS participating governments will need to undertake a full audit of the fumigation practices of companies who are placed “Under Investigation”. Once the audit is complete, AQIS should be notified of the result, and the company will either progress to being “Suspended”, or will revert to “Acceptable” status, as appropriate.

A complete description of the categories can be found at AFAS website.

Thailand AFAS Joint System Review (JSR)

The Thailand JSR was conducted from 3 - 14 November 2008. Representatives from AQIS and the Thai Department of Agriculture (DoA) visited 18 registered fumigation treatment providers, 15 in Bangkok and surrounds and three in Chiang Mai.

The JSR audit team comprised Mark King (AQIS), Gordon Weinert (AQIS), Jan van Someren Graver (AQIS Fumigation Consultant), Chortip Salyapongse (DoA), Chusak Wongwichakorn (DoA), Busarin Chettamachitara (DoA) and Eueychai Smitasiri (DoA).

^{From left to right: Chortip Salyapongse, Chusak Wongwichakorn, Busarin Chettamachitara, Gordon Weinert, Jan van Someren Graver, Mark King, Eueychai Smitasiri.}

The findings indicated that overall fumigation standards were high and consistent with AFAS requirements. The DoA continues to work closely with the local fumigation industry to further improve fumigation practices and understanding of AFAS requirements. As part of this process, a training facility is currently being developed by the DoA to provide a base for ongoing fumigation training.

AQIS thanks the Thai DoA for its assistance and cooperation during the JSR.

Onshore Fumigation Training and Auditing

AQIS is committed to ensuring high quarantine fumigation standards in Australia as part of the new Onshore Quarantine (and Perishables) Fumigation Scheme. Fumigation training has been conducted across Australia to ensure that the Australian fumigation industry understands and meets the requirements of the AQIS Methyl Bromide Fumigation Standard.

Three fumigation training courses were conducted in Australia in 2008. Two courses were held in Adelaide in May and August, and a third course was held in Brisbane in October. A total of 40 industry representatives and 19 government officials attended, with all candidates receiving AQIS accreditation.

Audits will be conducted on every fumigation company in Australia that wishes to participate in the Onshore Quarantine (and Perishables) Fumigation Scheme. To date, approximately 14 companies have undergone audits. The remainder of the audits will be completed prior to the implementation of the Scheme in early 2009.

^{Fumigation Training, Australia, 2008}

Please note: All of us here in Canberra will be celebrating the Christmas holiday from 25 December 2008 until 2 January 2009, during which time our office will be closed.

For further information:

For general AFAS enquiries please contact: AFAS

For AQIS import conditions see ICON.

For past issues of the AFAS newsletters see website.