quarantine approved premises criteria 3.0

Class 3.0: Produce Processing Facilities

Purpose

Premises utilised for unpacking full container load (FCL) containers and the storage, inspection and processing of goods. The types of commodities which may be processed at this establishment are hides for tanning, hunting trophies for taxidermy (tanneries), sesame seed for manufacture into tahini, feather processing, dross/scrap for smelting and nut processing. These facilities are not appropriate for imported grain.

Premises Location

1. Premises must generally be located within the metropolitan area of a declared port that has a permanently based quarantine officer. All applications are subject to approval by the Director of Quarantine and will be considered on their individual merits with consideration being given to the quarantine risk and serviceability associated with the location of each premises.

Isolation

1. All goods subject to quarantine must be kept in the quarantine area. Goods subject to quarantine must be stored in such a manner to ensure that a minimum of one (1) pallet width or an impervious physical barrier is maintained between goods subject to quarantine and other goods. Where the status of the goods is unknown, the goods must be considered to be subject to quarantine. Documentation generated by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service or AQIS may be used to confirm the quarantine status of the goods.

Quarantine Area

1. The quarantine area must be structurally separated from operations undertaken by legal entities other than the entity operating the approved premises. The structure/barrier employed to provide the required separation must ensure security of goods subject to quarantine and prevent against access by unauthorised persons.
2. Quarantine areas must be managed to allow AQIS officers to conduct adequate inspections of goods in a timely and effective manner. This can occur by:
   • having illumination to a sufficient level within a building. This will require a minimum 400 lux in storage areas and 600 lux in quarantine inspection areas,
   • having goods accessible for inspection (this will require that goods be stored no more than 2.5 m high unless racks are used).

   Note: Accessible means goods must be able to be inspected as directed by an AQIS officer. Generally, block stacking will not be regarded as being accessible.

Building and Storage Areas

1. All quarantine areas where goods subject to quarantine are stored or handled must display a quarantine sign to assist in effectively managing the security of these goods. These signs are to be:
   • secured on a building/s, racks, fences, gates and/or doors and be visible at all times
   • permanently affixed
   • of a professional standard
   • made to state ‘Quarantine Area – Authorised Persons Only, No Entry or Removal of Goods, Penalties Apply, (Quarantine Act 1908)’ (or as directed for specific quarantine operations)
   • on a yellow background, with black lettering.

   Note: Cardboard and paper signs are not acceptable. Signs on external structures must be:

   • a minimum 600 mm x 400 mm with lettering a minimum 25 mm height, and
   • be weatherproof and resistant to the elements.

   Signs within structures must be a minimum 295 mm x 210 mm with lettering a minimum 8 mm height.

2. All building and structures must be maintained in a state of good repair and weather–proof. All wall/floor junctions must be sealed, or some other measure must be in place to ensure that vegetation does not grow into the building.
3. Produce processing areas must be isolated from contact with all domestic and native animals. This may require the following: stock/animal–proof fencing, and/or; bird–proofing
4. All buildings, designated quarantine areas and quarantine inspection areas (including storage and receival zones, chutes etc), must be kept clean at all times. All cargo and packaging residues, contaminants and spillages must be cleaned up and correctly disposed of as quarantine waste without delay.

Inspection area

1. The quarantine inspection area, of a size commensurate with the proposed quantity of goods being handled, must be located within a lockable building, or within a building that is located in an area surrounded by a lockable person–proof security fence.
2. The inspection area must be sufficiently isolated from the main thoroughfare and clearly defined by:
   • a painted yellow line on the floor, or
   • a separate lockable room, or
   • prominent signage affixed to storage racks (or similar).

   This requirement varies for the following:

   • tanneries: provision of a separate or defined area for processing/inspection purposes is not necessary.
   • feather inspections: if a separate lockable room is not available, an enclosure must be provided for the inspection of feathers.
3. The quarantine area must have an impervious concrete or asphalt floor that is in good condition and free of significant cracking which may enable the escape of insects, or allow weeds to become established.
4. The quarantine and inspection area must allow for AQIS officers to easily inspect goods without occupational health and safety risks.

Hygiene

1. There must be adequate equipment available in order to carry out cleaning (steam/high pressure) and chemical disinfection spraying operations as directed by AQIS officers.
2. An effective pest control system must be in place to ensure that facilities are managed in a way that effectively isolates goods subject to quarantine from environments in which pest and disease are likely to become established. As a minimum this will require the premises to implement, and keep associated records of a periodic inspection regime and ensure ‘knock–down’ spray (i.e. standard household aerosol insecticide spray) is kept on–site at all times. A document outlining all pest control measures must be available to AQIS for audit purposes. In addition to details of the inspection regime and the on–site location of the ‘knock–down’ spray, this document may include:
   • the use of insecticides, fumigation, rodenticides, periodic inspection, baits and/or traps,
   • a site plan with numbered bait stations, and
   • if applicable, contract details.

   Note: The operations of adjacent facilities must be considered when determining any additional pest control measures to be implemented.

Internal Container Inspections (Optional)

1. Either an approved container inspection ramp, or equipment to safely and adequately place the container on the ground for inspection must be available. If no container inspection ramp is provided, an area with an impervious surface must be available for conducting internal container inspections.
2. All labour and equipment required to open the container doors must be supplied by the premises owner.

Dunnage and Waste Disposal

1. For any dunnage, packing material and waste inspected and found to contain pests or disease agents, a quarantine order will be issued describing the treatment required, location of the treatment and disposal methodology.

Waste Disposal

1. A document outlining the disposal procedures of quarantine waste must be supplied with the application form. This document must include specific procedures for the disposal of waste that is not subject to a separate quarantine direction (e.g. spillage and residues). In the case of waste disposal, the Director of Quarantine will approve the procedures for the collection and treatment of quarantine waste. This may require the supply of contractual details (between the applicant and the waste disposal company) to AQIS, in relation to the collection and treatment of quarantine waste.
2. In the case of tanneries and taxidermists, all disinfected processing residues and effluent shall be disposed of in accordance with the following:
   • adequate facilities must be provided for the collection of fleshings and trimmings;
   • fine fleshing and trimming residues mixed with liquid effluent may be disposed of through the premises effluent system (sewerage or septic system);
   • solid fleshings and trimming residues must be disposed of by deep burial, incineration or other approved method;
   • used tanners solution (disinfectant) must be disposed of through the premises liquid effluent disposal system (sewerage or septic system).
3. Sufficient bins/containers of an appropriate size, labelled ‘Quarantine Waste’ are to be provided for loose items, residues, spillages or material of quarantine concern. Such bins/containers must have lids that remain closed at all times and are to be emptied and disinfected in accordance with any provisions set by AQIS.

Office and Record Requirements

1. Records are to be made available, within a reasonable time, for inspection by AQIS officers. In addition, these records must be retained for a minimum period of 18 months during which time they will, upon request, be readily made available to an AQIS officer.
2. Records (electronic or manual) of all quarantineable goods imported through the premises must be maintained (these can be commercial documents).
3. To ensure imported animal skins and horns at tanneries and taxidermists are separated from local product, all imported product must be processed in batch lots to disinfection stage.
4. Office and general premises requirements must provide AQIS with the confidence that applicable health and safety standards have been met, this is achieved by:
   • providing a first aid cabinet/kit which is fully stocked and meets the minimum commercial Australian Standard (AS2675–1983: Portable first aid kits for use by consumers)
   • providing vehicle parking for visiting AQIS officers
     Note: This may require AQIS identified parking or providing a parking permit.
   • ensuring adequate security for any AQIS technical equipment left on the premises.
   • providing access and the availability of:
     • a desk, chair and a telephone with direct outside call access
     • toilet facilities
     • hand washing facilities and a hygienic means of drying hands, and
     • suitable arrangements to ensure amenities are clean.
5. Records for each consignment of quarantine goods must include:
   • quarantine direction,
   • import permit number (if applicable),
   • description of the quarantine goods (including scientific names and quantities, if applicable),
   • date of receipt of goods and country of origin,
   • details of any treatments,
   • method and date of disposal/destruction of quarantine goods and/or waste,
   • the date of movement and the AQIS permission for any movement of goods subject to quarantine,
   • comprehensive details of any breaches of goods subject to quarantine from the facility.

Administration

1. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the premises and all operations comply with all local, state and federal regulations and the relevant state Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. Documented evidence of compliance with these requirements must be produced to AQIS on request.
2. Premises must be securely locked when unattended and after hour access to the premises must be limited to authorised persons only.
3. Control and security of the quarantine area is the responsibility of the nominated senior person of the company. The name, designation/position title and contact details of the nominated person must be supplied with the application and at each renewal.
4. Due to differing processing requirements of various products, additional criteria may apply as directed by AQIS Canberra. The premises must have the operational equipment required to meet the conditions on the relevant import permit.
5. Processing of product must render it non–viable or no risk.
6. All quarantine instructions and relevant AQIS import permit conditions must be complied with. Where goods are handled for a third party, it is a requirement of approval that establishment operators have an arrangement in place that ensures they are aware of any relevant permit conditions. Please note that a breach of this clause may lead to suspension of the approval as a Quarantine Approved Premises (QAP).
7. All applications to be accompanied by scale drawings of the proposed area and all quarantine storage, treatment/processing facilities including parking for AQIS officers. In the case of new constructions these plans must be approved before any construction is undertaken.
8. AQIS must be notified in writing, at least 15 working days prior to intended changes in ownership, senior management, quarantine operating procedures and arrangements or contemplated modifications to the quarantine area where goods subject to quarantine are stored or treated/processed.