March 2015

Plant Quarantine Measures and Procedures Required for Exporting Agricultural Products

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Preparation of export item

Application for export quarantine inspection

Export inspection (documents and items)

Issuance of the Phytosanitary Certificate

Application to customs

Customs clearance

Loading onto the ship/aircraft

Importing country(Plant quarantine, customs clearance)

Inspection may be required in some cases to ensure no infestation with pests during the growing period.

Customs confirms that inspections under plant quarantine have been completed. If it is not confirmed, the export willnot be authorized.(Paragraph 2 of Article 70 of the Customs Act)

Inspection during growingperiod

• Visual inspection for plant pests

• Disinfestation treatment such as fumigation, heat/cold treatment

Examples of quarantine measures

Preparation for export

Implementation of import inspection at the importing country

(Plant Protection Station)

Exporter

Plant Protection Station

Plant Protection Station

Exporter

Exporter

Exporter

Producer/Exporter

Check at customs

agency/person

1

Standard Export Procedures and Plant Quarantine

Application for and implementation of export inspection

The Plant Protection Officer conducts aninspection satisfying the quarantine requirements set by the importing country.(at seaports, airports, markets and production sites)

(4) The Plant Protection Officer conducts inspections for quarantine pests that the importing country specifys as subject to quarantine (export inspection).(However, export inspection is not necessary if not required by the importing country.)

Exportation

Export Inspection Procedures

Contact the Plant Protection Station in advance.

(1) The exporter (applicant) informs the Plant Protection Station of information including the preferred date for inspection, the importing country and the export quantity in advance.

If the applicant has obtained a copy of an import permit from the importing country, submit it to the Plant Protection Station at the time of application.

(3) If the applicant has obtained a copy of an import permit, submit it to the Plant Protection Station at the time of application.

(2) The Plant Protection Station (Plant Protection Officer) arranges the export inspection schedule for the application.

If passes the inspection

Issuance of the Phytosanitary Certificate

(5) If it passed the inspection, a Phytosanitary Certificate will be issued.

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Examples of quarantine measures

Details of specific measures

Examples of countries and regions, items and

specific measures are required forIssuance of a Phytosanitary Certificate based on export inspection

• Visual inspection and laboratory test for nematodes

Taiwan: cherry, strawberry and Chinese yamViet nam: polished riceUnited States of America and Hong Kong: seeds for sowing

Registration of facilities and orchards with the importing country

• Registration of rice polishing facilities, packing houses or orchards prior to export is required.

China: polished riceTaiwan: peach, Japanese plum, nashi pear and apple

Implementation of inspectionsduring the growing period

• Pest survey conducted by the Plant Protection Station

Taiwan: Japanese pear scionsEU member countries: seeds of herbaceous plants, bonsai plants, garden treesUnited States of America: bonsai plants

Genetic testing for seed-borneviruses

• Genetic testing for viruses byusing biochemical methods including PCR

Australia: tomato seeds

Disinfection by fumigation, heat/cold treatment

• Fumigation and cold treatment ……...…..…..…..• Fumigation ……………………...• Heat treatment …………………..

United States of America : appleChina: polished rice, timber (with bark)EU member countries: wood chip

3

Specific Examples of Quarantine Measures Required for Exporting Agricultural Products

Marguerite scion for EU member countries• Free from Bemisia tabaci• Disinfestation treatment for quarantine pests

including leaf-minor flies

Importing countries may request exporting countries to certify the following status:(1) Plants are free from quarantine pests (especially, fungal, bacterial or virus diseases)(2) Production sites are free from quarantine pestsAs it is difficult to check whether exported plants are infected with these diseases at the time of export inspection, an field inspection is carried out during the growing period when symptoms are most easily detectable.

Bonsai plants for EU member countries

• 6 times official inspections a year during the growing period

• Setting pots on racks at the height of 50 cm or higher above the ground 4

Inspection Based on Requests of Importing Countries(Field Inspection)

5Orchid seedlings (in vitro seedlings for Colombia)• No infestation with pests including fusarium

Carnation seedlings (for Spain)• No infestation with pests including Bemisia tabaci

Watermelon seeds (seeds for Chile)• No infestation with pests includingbacterial brown spot

Tomato seeds (for several countries)• No infestation with pests includingClavibactaer michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

Field Inspection of Bonsai Plants for EU Member Countries

Setting pots on racks at the height of 50 cm or higher above the ground

Inspection for Thecodiplosis japonensis

Growing facilities for protection against longhorn beetles 6

Inspection Based on Requests of Importing Countries(Export Inspection)

A visual inspection is conducted to check for pest infestation prior to export at the Plant Protection Station(which is located at seaports/airports), markets or production sites. Furthermore, laboratory tests may be conducted for nematodes and plant diseases.

Inspection of leaf tobacco• No infestation with pests

Inspection of apples• No infestation with of pests

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8

Inspection of seeds for sowing• No infestation with pests or no foreign materials

Inspection of tree peony seedlings• No infestation with pests

・ Inspection of Japanese White Pine for EU member countries

• No infestation with pine pitch canker

Inspection of Chinese yam and other vegetables for Taiwan

• No infestation with nematodes

The export inspection of lettuces for Taiwan produced in Kawakami Village, Nagano Prefecture is conducted in the production sites by Plant Protection Officers based in Nagoya.

Visual inspections are conducted at packing facilities in the production sites and samples are collected for laboratory tests of nematodes.

Export Inspection of Lettuces for Taiwan

9Visual inspection

• No infestation with western flower thrips, etc.

According to the quantity to be exported,(1) Take samples from exported consignment(2) Visual inspection basically for pest infestation

(Additional laboratory test may be required to check pest infestation)

(3) A Phytosanitary Certificate which means the consignment passed the export inspection is issued after confirmation of pest absence

Inspections are conducted at not only seaports/airports but also markets or production sites contributing to the reduction of shipping losses for producers and exporting companies.

In relation to this inspection at markets or production sites, please consult with your nearest Plant Protection Station in advance, and please note that it is necessary to maintain the cleanliness after the inspection.

Inspection ProceduresDetails of Inspection at markets or production sites

Number of Cases of Inspection at Markets or Production Sites

Inform the nearest Plant Protection Station of the item to be exported, the destination country, and the preferred date for inspection.

Plant Protection Officer visits the inspection place following a pre-notice of all arrangements including inspection date and plan.(No payment for the inspection by the Plant Protection Officer is required.)

Visual inspection is conducted, samples of the consignmentfor laboratory test to check pest infestation may be taken if required

After confirmation of pest absence, a Phytosanitary Certificate is issued to identify that the consignment passed the inspection After issuance of the certificate, the consignment is

transported, being protected from recontamination by pests.

Implementation of Export Inspection at Markets or Production Sites

100

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

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