Export tape

As exporters who attended the export accreditation workshops held in June will be aware, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is harmonising export tape requirements across all protocol markets, and plant produce categories (eg. melons, cherries and apples).  

The department has confirmed that in the 2023-24 season period, the new export tape requirements will be a green font on a white background with the words “Plant Quarantine Australia”.    This will be acceptable for apples and cherries to all protocol markets - China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.  Noting that Korea and Japan mandate labelling and tape within the protocol. 

Currently, exporters are using the green “Released from Biosecurity” tape for all markets except for Japan which is red font “Plant Quarantine Australia” on white. 

For the 2022-23 season, exporters will be able to use either the old or the new tape, but they will be expected to use the new tape in 2023-24.

FGT will be ordering the new tape for the 2022-23 season.  If exporters are specifically wanting machine tape, can you please contact Lawrence Cowley ido@fruitgrowerstas.org.au, before the end of August.