The Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have reached an agreement to enhance pre-border quarantine protocols for onions exported from New Zealand to Indonesia. Pre-border measures are domestic steps to ensure commodity safety before export.

Bambang, Deputy for Crop Quarantine at Barantin, stated that the agreement was formalized through the signing of a protocol to update an existing implementing arrangement. This update addresses phytosanitary requirements for onion exports from New Zealand to Indonesia. “The new agreement on the implementing arrangement, which covers phytosanitary requirements for the export of onions from New Zealand to Indonesia, is a testament to the shared commitment of Barantin and MPI to facilitating onion trade between our two countries,” he remarked.

The updated agreement was signed after bilateral negotiations on technical matters. Strengthening pre-border measures is vital to shield Indonesia from crops potentially infested with harmful organisms. New Zealand is expected to ensure that phytosanitary certificates are issued only to onions meeting quality standards and free from contaminants. “This is essential to prevent a recurrence of the incident where New Zealand onions were denied entry due to quarantine issues,” Bambang added.

Onsite audits in New Zealand or online verifications will be conducted if issues arise regarding compliance. MPI’s Director of Import and Export Biosecurity Standards, Lisa Winthrop, expressed optimism that the updated agreement would soon facilitate the resumption of bilateral onion trade. Indonesia is a key export market for New Zealand’s onions.

Source: Antara News