On July 2, 2021, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment issued the 2021-38: Horticulture – New treatment option for strawberries, scallopinis, honeydew melons, rockmelons and zucchinis exported to New Zealand.

This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise that the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ MPI) has approved irradiation as a treatment option to manage fruit flies on Australian strawberries, scallopinis, honeydew melons, rockmelons and zucchinis.

Summary of changes and key points

• The NZ MPI has approved irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment option to manage fruit flies on strawberries, scallopinis, honeydew melons, rockmelons and zucchinis exported to New Zealand from Australia.

• The approved irradiation treatment must be applied at a minimum absorbed dose of 150 Gy and must be undertaken onshore in Australia, prior to export.

• The Manual of importing Country Requirements (Micor) has been updated to reflect the new requirements. Exporters must refer to the relevant Micor case and the New Zealand Export Plan prior to export to ensure import conditions can be met.

• The New Zealand Export Plan can be found in the documents section under workplans and protocols. To access these documents you must be a registered Micor Plant user.