Officially signed the protocol to export fresh bananas to China

Source: Vietnamplus.vn

Preliminary processing and packaging of green banana products for export. (Photo courtesy: Vu Sinh/VNA)

Today, November 1, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the General Administration of Customs of China signed a Protocol on phytosanitary requirements for fresh bananas exported from Vietnam to China. Before fresh bananas, this year the two sides also signed a protocol on exporting to China with durian and passion fruit.

The Protocol consists of eight articles, providing for general provisions, registration, management of growing areas, packaging and processing, pre-export quarantine inspection, phytosanitary inspection at the border, additional assessment and entry into force of the protocol. Accordingly, the protocol will be in force for 5 years.

According to the protocol, fresh bananas exported from Vietnam to China are unripe bananas that are harvested within 10-16 weeks after flowering. Ripe or cracked bananas will not be exported to China.

Fresh bananas must comply with the phytosanitary requirements specified in the Protocol and not be contaminated with any phytosanitary objects of interest to the Chinese side. When the fresh banana arrives at the Chinese border gate, China Customs will check the relevant documents and records and complete the quarantine inspection process.

All banana growing areas and packing facilities exported to China must be registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and approved by both the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the General Administration of Customs of China. Registration information includes names, addresses and codes so that when any product is found that does not comply with the requirements of the protocol, it can be accurately traced.

[Sầu riêng được xuất khẩu chính ngạch sang Trung Quốc từ ngày 11/7]

Before exporting, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development must send to the General Administration of Customs of China a registration list for approval and regular updating. This list will be published on the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China.

All banana growing areas and packing facilities exported to China must be registered and approved. (Photo courtesy: VNA)

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, all planting areas registered for export to China must develop a quality management and traceability system, and apply good agricultural practices (GAP). ) for example maintaining sanitary conditions in the growing area and away from sources of contamination, removing fallen and rotten fruit. Area managers must implement an integrated pest management (IPM) program.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development must adopt a management process to organize planting area monitoring activities for the phytosanitary species subject to China’s interest throughout the year.

During the first 2 years from the date of entry into force of the Protocol, staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development must conduct phytosanitary inspection, taking 2% samples. Within 2 years, if no phytosanitary violations are detected, the sampling rate will be reduced to 1%.

The Protocol specifies cases in which exports to China are refused. Accordingly, bananas of unapproved growing areas and packing facilities, or ripe bananas, will be refused import.

In case of detecting plant quarantine objects or having soil and plant residues, the consignment will be returned or destroyed or handled. In the event that the shipment is found to be inconsistent with China’s national food safety standards, the shipment will not be allowed to be imported or destroyed.

The General Administration of Customs of China will notify the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development if it finds non-compliance with the requirements and suspend the import of bananas from the relevant growing regions and packing facilities. According to the correction results of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the General Administration of Customs of China will decide whether to cancel the suspension or not.