PROPER PRODUCT HANDLING STORAGE CERTIFICATION Fitzroy Gordon

PROPER PRODUCT HANDLING, STORAGE & CERTIFICATION Fitzroy Gordon Certification & Compliance Manager

LEGAL FRAMEWORK Ø The Plant Quarantine Act (1993) and its regulation 1. The Plant (Importation) Control (Amendments) Regulation, 2005 2. The Citrus Plant (Certification) Regulation, 1999 under the Plant Quarantine Act 1993 Ø The Agricultural Produce Act (1926)

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

EXPORT COMPLEXES (ONE STOP) ØThere are two Agricultural Export Complexes operated by the Plant Quarantine Branch, they are located at the International Airports in Kingston and Montego Bay.

Ø Function as one-stop facilities housing all relevant agencies, Airlines, Customs, USDA, MOAF Inspectorate; Fumigation and Accounting staff. Ø Provides the following services: • Inspection and certification of agricultural produce for exports • Cold and Ambient storage • Preclearance of agricultural produce to the USA • Fumigation of agricultural produce o Yam, Pepper, & Thyme

PACKING HOUSE REQUIREMENTS Ø Building must be separate from a dwelling house. Ø Building must be of sound construction. Ø Floor must be of concrete to facilitate washing after packing. Ø Floor space should be a minimum of 1, 000 sq. ft.

• Packing house must be separate from any activity that could be considered incompatible with the handling of fresh produce. • Access to telephone is recommended. • 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. • There should be adequate provisions in the packing house to ensure proper inspection of produce by Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspectors. • All operations must take place under cover of the approved packing house.

Ø 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 • Drying racks or pallets. Ø Building should have: • Adequate lighting • Adequate drainage • Adequate ventilation • Proper sanitary facilities • Adequate storage space (for boxes and chemicals)

PACKING HOUSE OPERATIONS Maintain unidirectional flow to prevent cross contamination. Use proper containers to transport and store produce. Ensure separation and proper use of produce containers, e. g. bins and crates; clean containers for cleaned produce. Do not overstock produce containers. Do not toss, throw nor drop produce into containers, handle with care, it adds value to your market.

UNIDIRECTIONAL FLOW

PRODUCE BIN & CRATE

PRODUCE CRATES

HAND HYGIENE Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling or cutting fresh produce. Rewash hands after breaks, visiting restrooms, sneezing, coughing, handling trash or money, or anytime hands become soiled or otherwise contaminated. If gloves are used, wash hands before putting gloves on. Hand wash station must be located at the entrance to work area.

HAND WASH FACILITY

PURCHASING & RECEIVING Maintain clean and pest-free storage area and delivery vehicle. Ensure vendors are getting produce from reputable sources. Check storage and handling practices of vendors. Establish procedures for inspecting and accepting or rejecting incoming produce (check condition of produce and transport). Inspect produce for obvious and not so obvious signs of damage, either cut away the affected area or do not use the item.

PREPERATION & STORAGE Produce should be appropriately cleaned, all foreign matter removed, (importantly; pests) Produce should be allowed to dry adequately, if applicable. Do not allow produce to stand in water. Packed in appropriate containers. Appropriately stored, (cold or ambient)

DRYING RACK

YAMS DRYING

YAMS DRYING

CORRECT PACKAGING

CORRECTLY STACKED

PACKAGING & STACKING

LABELING (minimum) ØCompany Name ØName of Produce ØWeight Ø“Produce of Jamaica”

USDA PRE-CLEARED PROGRAM A collaboration between USDA/APHIS International Services and the Jamaica Ministry of Agriculture.

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

APPROVED PRE-CLEARED PRODUCTS • 52 Jamaican commodities are enterable into the United States under the Pre-Clearance program. • They include fruits, vegetables, root crops and flowers.

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

MARKET ACCESS FOR NEW COMMODITIES Request made to Plant Quarantine Branch by Exporter Request sent to the importing Country’s PRA Unit e. g. USDA-APHIS or Barbados Agriculture by the Plant Quarantine Unit Importing Country request information on pest list associated with the produce, area grown, how much, how will it be used, packaged and how much will be shipped etc. PRA conducted to determine the risk the entry of this commodity could have on their agriculture

EXPORTING PROCESS ØMake appointment for inspection (2472 hrs) ØDocuments required: • ASYCUDA • Commercial invoice • Letter from JAMPRO

PROCESSING OF DOCUMENTS Plant Quarantine/ Produce Inspection Unit Jamaica Customs Department Airline /Wharf

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 -5661 (fax) USDA-APHIS – Kingston – 924 -8904

HELP US PROTECT OUR INDUSTRY AND OUR FOREIGN MARKETS. THANK YOU