TRADE AGREEMENTS AND OTHER KEY ISSUES

1. TRADE AGREEMENTS AND OTHER KEY ISSUES EXPORT CERTIFICATION Presented by: Dalton W. Hastings Manager Plant Quarantine/ Produce Inspection Branch November 12, 2015

2. MANDATE • To ensure that only the highest quality produce is imported into the island and exported to our trading partners. • To ensure that no harmful exotic plant pests are introduced and become established in the island.

3. Governing Regulations and Guiding Standards • Plant Quarantine Act 1993 • Various regulations • Agricultural Produce Act 1926 • Various regulations • Ministry of Health Legislations • Ministry of Industry Investments and Commerce • BSJ and FSPID • Customs Regulations

4. EXPORTCOMPLEXES • There are two Agricultural Export Complexes operated by the Plant Quarantine (PQ)Branch , located at the International Airports in Kingston and Montego Bay.

5. Function as one-stop facilities housing relevant agencies; PQ Inspectorate, USDA, Customs and Airlines. • Provides the following services: • Inspection and certification of agricultural produce for exports • Cold and Ambient storage • Fumigation Facility

6. PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION OF EXPORTERS • Make appointment for the inspection of the packing facility with the Plant Quarantine Inspection Branch.

7. PACKING HOUSE REQUIREMENTS • Building must be separate from dwelling house. • Floor space should be a minimum of 1000 sq. ft. • Packing house must be separate from any activity that could be considered incompatible with the handling of fresh produce.

8. There must be adequate space for loading and unloading of produce. • Building must be protected against the entry of insects, birds, rodents or anything likely to contaminate the produce. • Suitable fixtures and equipment for grading and handling of the produce must be in place, such as: • Tables for sorting and grading • Tanks for washing and chemical treatment

9. Building should have: • Adequate lighting • Adequate drainage • Adequate ventilation • Proper sanitary facilities • Adequate storage space (for boxes and chemicals)

10. If the facility is approved, Plant Quarantine will prepare a letter to the Export Certification Officer at JAMPRO, requesting that they proceed with the registration process. • All exporters and their staff must participate in an orientation programme conducted by the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch, and Ministry of Health .

11. EXPORT CERTIFICATION • All produce for export must be prepared and packed in the approved packing house. • All produce must be appropriately packaged in new, clean, properly labeled bags or boxes. • Labeling on packages must coincide with the information on the export documents.

12. EXPORT CERTIFICATION cont. Produce for Export must: • Conform to local and international standard • Be soil free • Be pest and disease free • Be uniform in Quality

13. EXPORTINGPROCESS • Make appointment for inspection (24- 72hrs) • Documents required: • Customs entry • Commercial invoice • Letter from JAMPRO

14. USDA PRECLEARANCE PROGRAMME USDA Preclearance program fast-tracks export of fresh produce Utilizing US documentation and technical expertise Fifty-two (52) commodities Funding by GOJ totally 14

15. Benefits • Expedites Trade • Minimal Inspection on arrival at US ports • Facilitates open trade of high risk commodities. • Minimise rejection or delays upon arrival • Faster access to markets

16. Quarantine Treatment Mandatory fumigation is required for Peppers, Thyme and Yams as a condition of entry into the United States.

17. SOLID WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL • Phytosanitary measures to reduce the risk of introduction and /or spread of quarantine pest associated with wood packaging material used in international trade. • All solid wood packaging material (SWPM) including dunnage, packaging or crating made from non-manufactured wood must be heat treated or fumigated with Methyl Bromide as a condition of entry. • It is based on the International Standard For Phytosanitary Measure #15 (ISPM 15) developed under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)

18. Entry of treated non-manufactured wood packaging material • No import permit or phytosanitary certificate is required • A logo or mark officially endorsed by the NPPO of the country from which the material originates must be permanently affixed to each unit of wood packaging material • NPPO – National Plant Protection Organization. Official service designated by a government to discharge the function specified under the International Plant Protection Convention. In Jamaica’s case the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Unit is the designated body.

19. ISPM #15 • Treatment of all solid wood packaging material • Heat Treatment • Fumigation (Methyl Bromide) • IPPC Mark

20. ISSUES OF CONCERN • Notification of non compliance • USA and EU re high levels of pesticides • Solid wood packaging material • Packaging in uncertified packaging houses • Due diligence re Consignees credibility

21. FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT • Aims to ensure the United States food supply is safe by shifting the focus of federal regulators from responding to contamination to preventing it.

22. Why is the law needed? • Globalization • 15 percent of U.S. food supply is imported • Food supply more high-tech and complex • More foods in the marketplace • New hazards in foods not previously seen • Shifting demographics • Growing population (about 30%) of individuals are especially “at risk” for food borne illness

23. Food Safety Issues • FSMA Implications for Our PQ functions • Increased responsibility concerning food safety • Appropriate use of Chemical (yam rejections) • Upgrade of packing facilities • Reregistration by FDA

24. WHAT IS REQUIRED • Certification: • Proper record keeping • Traceability • Implementation of GMP/GAP • Upgrading of Exporters facilities to HACCP Standards • Conducting training in the pack houses • Regulators – PQ/PI, Vet Services, RADA, PCA, Health and FSPID

25. Provisions under Produce Act Under the Agricultural Produce Act of 1926 Section 3.(1) “Every person carrying on the trade or business of buying or selling, or of buying or exporting agricultural produce shall be requiredtotake out a license under thisAct for each premises in which he intends to carry on such trade or business.”

26. Help us protect our industry and our foreign markets. THANK YOU

27. Main Office (Hope Gardens) • 977-0637/6401 977-6992 (fax) Website www.moa.gov.jm Email ppq@moa.gov.jm • Export Complex • Airport, Kingston 924-8906, 924-8736 924-8907 (fax) • Airport, Montego Bay 940-4146 940-1038 (fax)