Bilateral Agreement on Export of Apples to Kingdom of Thailand

(Unofficial Translation)

Notification of Department of Agriculture

Re: Conditions for Import of Apple Fruit from the Republic of South Africa

B.E. 2567 (2024)

The Department of Agriculture has completed a pest risk analysis for the commercial importation of fresh apple fruit from the Republic of South Africa.

By virtue of Section 8 (2) and Section 10 of the Plant Quarantine Act B.E. 2507 (1964), as amended by the Plant Quarantine Act (No. 3) B.E. 2551 (2008), the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, through the recommendation of the Plant Quarantine Committee, hereby announces phytosanitary import requirements for fresh apple fruit from the Republic of South Africa as follows:

1. Title

This notification shall be called “Notification of Department of Agriculture Re: Conditions for Import of Apple Fruit from the Republic of South Africa B.E. 2567 (2024)”.

2. Effective Date

This notification shall come into force from the day following its publication in the Government Gazette.
Published in the Government Gazette Vol. 141, Special Part 348 d, Page 18, dated 18th December B.E. 2567 (2024)

3. Permitted Plant Species

• Fresh apple (Malus domestica) fruit

4. Quarantine Pests of Concern

A list of quarantine pests of concern to the Kingdom of Thailand for apples from the Republic of South Africa is given in Annex 1.

5. Responsible Organizations

• Kingdom of Thailand: Department of Agriculture (DOA)
• Republic of South Africa: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (NPPO)

6. Import Permit

An import permit issued by DOA is required.

7. Means of Conveyance

Apples must be imported by sea cargo from a port in the Republic of South Africa to a port in the Kingdom of Thailand.

8. Permitted Production Areas

Apples must be produced in the Republic of South Africa. All production areas are permitted.

9. Requirements for Orchards

1. Orchards must be commercial and registered by the NPPO (Production Unit Code, PUC) or under an NPPO-approved system. Registration records must be available to DOA upon request.
2. Growers must implement Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), including orchard sanitation and integrated pest management.
3. Growers must maintain records of management, monitoring, and control activities, available to NPPO and DOA upon request.

10. Requirements for Packinghouses or Export Establishments

1. Packinghouses/export establishments must be registered (Packinghouse Code, PHC) with and monitored by the NPPO. Registration records must be available to DOA upon request.
2. Only apples from registered commercial orchards may be sourced for export. Traceability records must be maintained.
3. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for grading, handling, and packing must be documented.
4. NPPO must audit packinghouses/export establishments prior to registration and at least annually.
5. Inspection for quarantine pests must be done within registered packinghouses/export establishments.

11. Requirements for Quarantine Pests

Apples intended for export must undergo risk management measures for Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) and Natal fruit fly (Ceratitis rosa), including specified cold disinfestation treatment.

12. Management Measures for Quarantine Pests

Cold Disinfestation Treatment Schedule:

13. Requirements for Cold Disinfestation Treatment

1. Only the same species of fruit in the same type of package may be treated together.
2. Cold disinfestation can be performed in-transit (in shipping containers).
3. In-transit treatment is assessed using fruit temperature sensors only.
4. Treatment may start on shore and be completed in-transit or at destination. If treatment fails, it may be completed on arrival.
5. Apples must be pre-cooled to or below the target temperature before loading.
6. NPPO must ensure compliance with Annex 2. A certificate of calibration (Annex 3) must accompany every consignment.

14. Requirements for Packing and Labeling

1. Packaging materials must be clean and new.
2. Fruits must be packed free from live insects, soil, sand, and contaminating plant materials.
3. Each carton must display at least the following in English:
   • Product or produce of South Africa
   • Name of exporting company
   • Name of fruit (common name)
   • Packinghouse code (PHC)
   • Production unit code (PUC)
4. If exported in loose cartons: “EXPORT TO THAILAND” must appear on each carton. If on pallets: “EXPORT TO THAILAND” must appear on each side.
5. Wood packaging must comply with relevant ISPMs.

15. Export Inspection

Before certification, NPPO must ensure:

1. Apples are inspected and free from quarantine pests (Annex 1). If found, treat or withdraw consignment.
2. Apples have undergone cold disinfestation treatment as specified.

16. Phytosanitary Certification

1. A phytosanitary certificate issued by NPPO is required, with the following declaration:
   

   “This consignment of apple fruit was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the conditions for import of apple fruit from South Africa to Thailand.”

2. The original certificate of calibration (Annex 3) must accompany the phytosanitary certificate.
3. Container and seal numbers must be recorded on the certificate.

17. Import Inspection

1. Import inspection is conducted upon arrival after document verification.
2. Consignments must be free of live insects, disease, seeds, soil, trash, and debris.
3. Representative samples are examined for pests. If found, samples are sent for identification and consignments held.
4. Sampling:
   • <1,000 units: 450 units or 100%
   • ≥1,000 units: 600 units
5. If quarantine pests (Annex 1) are found:
   • Ceratitis capitata/rosa: Consignment re-exported or destroyed at importer’s expense. DOA suspends import and notifies NPPO.
   • NPPO investigates and proposes corrective actions. Suspension lifted upon DOA satisfaction.
   • Other quarantine pests: Treat (if possible), re-export, or destroy.
6. If other organisms/contaminants are found, handle appropriately or re-export/destroy. DOA may suspend import pending risk assessment.
7. DOA may require re-export or destruction if:
   • Cold disinfestation failed
   • Container doors not closed or numbers do not match
   • Seal is broken/replaced or numbers do not match
   • Temperature sensor issues
   • Packaging/labeling is missing or incorrect

18. Audit of Export Procedures

1. Export may begin only after DOA audits South Africa’s export certification procedures. Costs borne by South Africa.
2. In case of suspension or irregularity, DOA may audit before resumption. Costs borne by South Africa.

Issued on 4 December B.E. 2567 (2024)

(Mr. Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs)
Director-General
Department of Agriculture

Annex 1: List of Quarantine Pests of Apple Fruit from the Republic of South Africa

Annex 2: Requirements for In-Transit Cold Disinfestation Treatment

1. Requirements for Containers

• Containers must be suitable, self-refrigerated, and equipped with a recording device.
• NPPO ensures suitability and capability.

2. Requirements for Temperature Recording System

• Accuracy within ±0.3°C (range: -3°C to +3°C)
• Automatic operation, minimum three fruit temperature sensors
• Continuous recording of date, time, sensor number, and temperature
• Hourly recording, 0.1°C resolution, data stored for DOA review
• Printout must identify each sensor, time, temperature, recorder, and container

3. Requirements for Temperature Sensors

• Optimal accuracy for treatment range
• Outer sheath ≤6.4 mm; sensing unit within first 25 mm of tip
• Accuracy ±0.3°C (range: -3°C to +3°C)
• Each sensor tagged with its number

4. Calibration of Temperature Sensors

• Supervised by NPPO
• Use crushed ice and distilled water in insulated container
• Two readings per sensor at 0°C, variance ≤0.1°C
• Sensors deviating >±0.3°C rejected
• Certificate of calibration (Annex 3) prepared for each container

5. Placement of Temperature Sensors

• Supervised by NPPO
• Even airflow under/around pallets and cartons
• At least three sensors per container, distributed for adequate monitoring
• Inserted into center of largest fruit; must not extend beyond fruit or rupture it
• Placement:
  • 6m container: two sensors diagonally opposite at side walls ~1m from end; one in center
  • 12m container: two sensors diagonally opposite at side walls ~1.5m from end; one in center
  • All at mid-height

6. Sealing of Containers

• Container door sealed with numbered metal seal under NPPO supervision
• Seal must remain intact until arrival; number recorded on phytosanitary certificate

7. Confirmation of Treatment

• Shipping company downloads and forwards treatment records to port officer
• DOA verifies records and sensor calibration
• If calibration adjustment shows schedule not met, consignment re-exported or destroyed

8. PPECB Role

• PPECB is authorized to perform specific functions on behalf of DALRRD/NPPO

Annex 3: Certificate of Calibration for In-Transit Cold Disinfestation Treatment in Self-Refrigerated Container

Exporter name:
Phytosanitary certificate number:
Container number:
Container seal number:
Recorder serial number:
Container clock set to GMT:
Date calibrated (dd/mm/yy):

1. Sensor calibration (at 0°C):

2. Sensor placement:

3. Container sealed:

Local time:
Date (dd/mm/yy):

Inspector name:
Inspector signature:
Stamp:

This translation is provided by the Department of Agriculture as the competent authority for information purposes only. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, the original Thai text as formally adopted and published shall remain the sole authoritative text having the force of law.