Annex

Container loading:

Fruit subject to in-transit cold disinfestation treatment must be pre-cooled to the required treatment temperature prior to loading into shipping containers. In-transit cold treatment is only permitted in self refrigerated (integral) shipping containers capable of the treatment for the entire duration of the trip. The exporting National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) is responsible for ensuring that containers used by exporters are of a suitable type, and have refrigerator equipment capable of achieving and holding the required temperatures.

Packed fruit must be loaded into shipping containers under the supervision of the exporting NPPO. Containers should be packed in a manner which ensures that there is equal airflow under and around all pallets and loose stacked boxes.

Calibration of probes:

A “record of calibration of fruit probes” must be prepared for each container and signed and stamped by an officer of the exporting NPPO or person authorised by the exporting NPPO. The original must be attached to the phytosanitary certificate which accompanies the consignment. Calibration of temperature recorder and probes prior to in-transit cold disinfestation beginning must be undertaken under the supervision of the NPPO.

The fruit pulp sensors must be calibrated and placed under the supervision of an officer authorised by the NPPO of the exporting country. The calibration and placement of the fruit pulp sensors must be consistent with the Australian phytosanitary treatment application standard for cold treatment (2018)

Note: Any probe which records more than plus or minus 0.3°C from 0°C must be replaced by one that meets this criterion. The Australian NPPO may check the calibration of the fruit probes, on arrival of the container in Australian territory. If any probe shows a higher calibration reading at the completion of the treatment than at the initial calibration setting, the recordings from the probes will be adjusted accordingly. If the calibration reading is lower than the initial data then there is a chance that the temperature data adjusted accordingly may reveal that the nominated treatment schedule was not met. In this instance the treatment will be deemed to have failed.

Placement of probes:

Placement of temperature sensors must be under the direction and supervision of exporting NPPO or person authorised by the NPPO. Three sensors must be placed as follows for in transit cold treatment:

• The top of the stack nearest to the air return intake,
• slight aft (towards the doors) of the middle of the container, halfway between the top and bottom of the stack,
• one pallet stack in from the doors of the container, halfway between the top and bottom of the stack.
  

Container sealing:

Shipping containers must be sealed once loading of the fruit is completed. In-transit treatment containers must not be opened (i.e. they must remain seals intact) until the treatment has been completed and confirmed by the Australian NPPO on arrival in Australian territory.

A numbered seal must be placed on the loaded container door by an authorised officer of the exporting NPPO and the seal number noted on the phytosanitary certificate.

Temperature recording and downloading:

Pulp temperature is to be recorded on an hourly basis to one decimal place throughout the treatment by using three fruit pulp sensor probes that have been appropriately positioned across the treatment lot to account for temperature variations as described above. Additional probes that measure fruit pulp temperature can be used to monitor cold treatment. Any data from the additional probes must also comply with the treatment requirements.

Important: Temperature logs must be forwarded to: treatments@aff.gov.au with the container number and entry number (if known) detailed in the subject line. The department will assess the treatment schedule and advise the person in charge of the outcome.

Note: Cold disinfestation treatment may be completed by the time the vessel arrives into Australian territory. Treatment records can be downloaded en-route and sent to the Australian NPPO, for verification.

Treatment verification:

The Department will verify that the cold disinfestation treatment (for in-transit treatments) has been completed prior to arranging for an inspection and clearance of the container.

Any shipments that haven’t completed in-transit cold treatment (due to insufficient duration or temperatures) will be given the option of continuation of cold treatment, recommencement (seals intact only) and completion within a 23 day period, or export or disposal. Failed shipments that cannot recommence and complete cold treatment seals intact without opening the container are subject to export or disposal.