The export of fresh ginger from Fiji is an important source of income for farmers, workers involved in its production and processing, and exporters. However, expansion into the Australian market is hampered by concerns over the possible presence of microscopic nematode pests of quarantine concern to Australia. This report provides details of a PHAMA funded training program delivered by New Zealand’s Landcare Research to build the capacity of the Fijian Ministry of Agriculture and the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji in the field sampling and identification

Forest products—mostly unprocessed round logs—are the largest export industry in SI. As the current rate of harvest is unsustainable, SI is focused on diversifying and value-adding by more local processing of timber. This report presents the outcomes of meetings in 2015 between representatives SI timber industry representatives and the New Zealand Imported Tropical Timber Group (ITTG). The ITTG confirmed that independent third party legality assurance will become a minimum standard in NZ for timber imports and that to access NZ markets SI must demonstrate progress

Forestry is the largest export industry in SI. While there continues to be strong overseas demand for SI timber, the current rate of harvest is unsustainable. This 2015 market mission builds on previous PHAMA work, and sent SI government officers to key timber markets in Australia and NZ to further their market understanding. Currently SI exports mostly rough sawn, ‘green’ (un-dried) round logs, but importers indicated they would pay a premium for more highly-processed timber, and this could be achieved by drying logs in SI

This (2015) report presents models for future operation of five SI Industry Working Groups –coconut, cocoa, horticulture, timber and tuna – for their sustainability post-PHAMA (mid-2017). It draws on workshops with IWGs and background papers. In examining each IWG’s ‘strategic imperative’, the report recommends that IWGs can remain relevant and sustainable post-PHAMA by broadening their scope (advisory, consultation and representational) to include planning, and addressing supply and finance barriers. IWGs require financial and technical resourcing for a secretariat which could establish institutional structures, funding mechanisms

Funding support for the three Industry Working Groups (IWGs) established in Vanuatu will end with the conclusion of the Pacific Horticulture and Agriculture Market Access (PHAMA) program in mid-2017. The three industries involved in the IWGs are Cocoa, Kava, and Livestock. The IWGs have played an effective role in allowing government and industry to come together to develop advice, allow consultation and provide industry representation. Because of the valuable role these groups can play in facilitating the development of the industries they represent, the PHAMA

Under Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access program (PHAMA) activity SOLS19 (Technical Report 87), it was recommended that PHAMA assist Biosecurity Solomon Islands to convene a bilateral quarantine meeting with the Papua New Guinea National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) to discuss and finalise the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on quarantine cooperation between the two countries. This meeting was convened on 25 November 2014, at the NAQIA Board Room in Port Moresby. This report captures the outcomes of that meeting and is intended

Forest products—mostly unprocessed round logs—are the largest export industry in SI. As the current rate of harvest is unsustainable, SI is focused on diversifying and value-adding by more local processing of timber. This report presents the outcomes of meetings in 2015 between representatives SI timber industry representatives and the New Zealand Imported Tropical Timber Group (ITTG). The ITTG confirmed that independent third party legality assurance will become a minimum standard in NZ for timber imports and that to access NZ markets SI must demonstrate progress

Australian and South-east Asian markets have strong demand for smoke-taint free, well-fermented, well-dried cocoa beans. This 2015 report is the second stage of work begun in mid‑2014 (TR73), and looks at ways to improve income for cocoa growers in SI. Despite rising international cocoa prices, three ‘clusters’ of issues keep farm-gate prices low and prevent cocoa from being a profitable option for SI farmers, and one they see as worthwhile investing in. Addressing quality issues including smoke taint, and improving supply chain actors’ understanding of

This report was written in 2015 to support the sustainability of PHAMA-established Market Access Working Groups (MAWG) and Industry Working Groups (IWG) in the five Pacific Island Countries where they operate, beyond the life of the PHAMA program which is currently scheduled for mid 2017. It suggests a framework structure that MAWGs and IWGs can use to generate discussion around their group’s future, and to formulate their ‘sustainability roadmaps’. The framework covers themes for the groups to consider including: vision, legal structure, scope, potential government

Taro Leaf Blight (TLB) describes the effects of the pathogen Phytopthora colocasiae on susceptible varieties of taro, causing leaf browning and later rapid and complete defoliation, and sometimes corm rot. TLB is present in Samoa but with the development of resistant cultivars (‘Samoa 1’ and ‘Samoa 2’), limited exports of fresh taro are occurring, to New Zealand and the USA.  This report proposes a TLB research and development program to help Samoan fresh taro meet Australian Biosecurity requirements. It outlines how such a program could be developed,

This review builds on the work of VAN10 (Stage 1), and recommends ways to strengthen Vanuatu’s biosecurity protection measures for bees and honey products to access target markets of New Zealand and New Caledonia. The review shows that Biosecurity Vanuatu already meets existing New Caledonia import requirements and, provided it implements the disease surveillance plan proposed in this review, could also make a market access submission for New Zealand. It is not economically viable at this stage to undertake the residue sampling required to access

Whole and processed tuna is the second largest export industry in SI. This project (the second stage of SOLS12) examines what investment is needed to build the capacity of the SI National Public Health Laboratory to achieve ISO 17025 accreditation within three years, and therefore able to carry out food safety testing for continued market access. As well as fixing problems of water and electricity supply and purchasing more equipment, investment is needed to boost staffing levels and improve skills in lab techniques. Methodologies contained

Cocoa is one of Solomon Islands’ main exports, with exports of around 4,500 tonnes of in 2015. This 2014 market analysis report examines market opportunities for SI cocoa, and proposes ways to improve export returns. It recommends improving the quality of cocoa to enable access to higher-grade, higher-price, cocoa markets. SI cocoa is currently lower grade due to smoke taint as a result of poor drying techniques. To address this, the report recommends trialing new cocoa drying technologies and methods (including sun drying), introducing quality

Foliage of Cordyline (ti) and Dracaena (lauti) was identified by the SMAWG in November 2012 as a market access priority into New Zealand. This activity was to review the existing export requirements, identify any trials or surveys that may be required and, pending endorsement by the SMAWG, conduct the required trials or surveys and prepare a submission to NZ MPI. This interim report covers the desk-based analysis that was done to review the existing requirements and identify any trials or surveys that may be required.

The Australian Government’s Pacific Horticultural & Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA) engaged URS Australia Pty Ltd (URS) to undertake a study of export markets for timber from Solomon Islands. This report presents the outcomes of this study and recommends a set of proposed initiatives to strengthen the Solomon Islands timber export industry. Key words: timber, forest products, round logs, sawn timber, sawmills, legality verification, forest certification

The Australian Government’s Pacific Horticultural & Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA) engaged URS Australia Pty Ltd (URS) to conduct activities to support forestry certification – encompassing timber legality assurance – for exports of sawn timber from Solomon Islands. The project has been conducted over three stages, starting during October 2012. This report relates to Stage 3 of the project, which was primarily conducted between October 2013 and March 2014 and then extended to June 2014 in order to complete some specific scope items. This report

Kava or “yaqona” is an important cash crop in Fiji. Consumed locally as a drink for ceremonial and social purposes, it is also exported to countries including New Zealand, the USA and within the Pacific region. Over 2011-2013, the average annual value of kava exports from Fiji was approximately FJD6.2 million. This report provides details of a 2014 survey of kava varieties across the main islands of Fiji. The survey found that Fiji has 13 known varieties of ‘noble’ (desirable for export) kava. Variety descriptors

Freedom from certain pests and diseases that affect bees is critical for continued access for honey and other products to export markets such as New Zealand and Australia. This report presents the findings from a 2014 survey of Samoa’s bee health status, covering a third of the country’s 300 hives. Importantly, European foulbrood disease and the associated bacterium were absent. American foulbrood disease was discovered, and, while its presence does not affect trade to NZ or Australia, it has the potential to damage local hives.

Fiji’s horticulture industry relies heavily on imported seed to produce fruit and vegetables for both domestic and export markets, but the imported seed is a potential biosecurity risk. This 2013 study examined Fiji’s seed import policy for its effectiveness in managing the risk of pests from imported seeds without overly restricting supply. Twenty-two seed types were examined, including fruit, vegetables, herbs and tobacco. The report recommends some updates to the General Conditions for all horticultural seed imports, and finds that herb seeds do not pose a risk

Training on food safety and quality testing for export products was undertaken as part of efforts to build the capacity of the Samoa Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS). The training was specifically aimed at supporting the micro-section of the SROS lab to validate new tests that would have relevance for potential customers of SROS. The new food act specifies Vibrio parahaemolyticus; hence the decision to perform a detection method for this species. It was also considered relevant for the lab to update the existing method

Currently, honey and other bee products entering New Zealand from a number of Pacific island countries (PICs) must be accompanied by a zoosanitary certificate issued by the veterinary authority of the exporting country which certifies that: The honey originates from that country; and The country is free from European foulbrood (EFB) caused by Melissococcus pluton Fiji is not included on the list of PICs covered by this Import Health Standard (IHS), so access to New Zealand would need to be negotiated. The New Zealand Ministry for

The use of methyl bromide fumigation treatments for quarantine purposes is crucial in preventing the spread of plant pests and diseases that have significant economic and environmental consequences. Like most chemicals, methyl bromide is relatively safe to use and is effective if applied correctly; however, if applied incorrectly or without appropriate precautions, the treatment is likely to be ineffective and can potentially cause harm to people and the environment. Methyl bromide is used extensively in Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA) countries for pre-shipment

Biosecurity Australia has proposed that fresh taro corms be permitted into Australia subject to specific pest risk management measures. For taro corms from Fiji, two pests are of concern: Tarophagus proserpina and Taro vein chlorosis rhabdovirus (TaVCV). The proposed quarantine treatments for these include “removing all petiole material and apical growing points from the corms of large corm taro (Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta)”. Taro corms are “topped” to remove leaf petioles and growing points and scraped to remove dormant buds. The treatment of corms in this way seriously reduces shelf

While trade in Fijian taro with Australia and New Zealand has been occurring for many years, quality and phytosanitary issues have continued to hinder this trade and result in reduced returns for taro supply chain participants. The ongoing issues experienced in this trade were summarised in the report for Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA) activity FIJI01 conducted in 2011. Key words: taro corms, biosecurity, middle buyers, transporters, pack houses, pathway, Taveuni

This 2013 study assessed the adequacy of existing horticultural processing and marketing infrastructure in Tonga for current and projected future exports. Tonga has well‑established export industries in squash and watermelon (3500 tonnes/annum), root crops (3600 tonnes/annum) and coconuts (1,100tonnes/annum). Mostly these go to New Zealand, but also to Australia, Japan and the USA. Opportunities exist to expand export volumes to these markets, particularly in root crops, watermelon, and air-freighted fresh fruit and vegetables. However, such expansion is constrained by inadequate processing facilities, and for fresh

This feasibility study was intended to identify species and varieties that have good prospects for commercial success, as the basis for selecting one or two floriculture products for which production and marketing pathways can be developed. Consideration of potential species and varieties was limited to items for which market access procedures are already in place, or for which there are good chances of being able to develop market access arrangements. Key words: floriculture, cut flowers, foliage, ornamental plants, Heliconias, gingers

PHAMA funded the current bee disease survey to support the growth of the beekeeping industry in Vanuatu by establishing the disease status of the local honey bees and using this information as a basis for quarantine regulations and market access negotiations. Key words: European foulbrood (EFB), Paenibacillus alvei, Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV), microsporidian Nosema ceranae, internal or tracheal mite Acarapis woodi, Varroa sp, Tropilaelaps, American foulbrood (AFB)

The Australian Government’s Pacific Horticultural & Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA) engaged URS Australia Pty Ltd (URS) to investigate areas where PHAMA might conduct activities in the forestry sector of Solomon Islands – and, specifically, investigate the development of international market access for value-added timber products through timber legality assurance and forest certification. Key words: sawn timber, round logs, market requirements, legality assurance, forest certification, illegal logging

Australia’s east coast is a large, affluent consumer market, where many commodity imports are cheaper than domestic products. However, high regulatory requirements make it a difficult market to access. This 2012 feasibility study assessed the export potential of 11 horticultural commodities from the Solomon Islands (SI) to Australia:- banana, cassava, coconut, pineapple, taro, coffee, honey, canarium vanilla, chilli and eggplant. The study found that only coconuts and chillies would be viable for export, as others would be non-viable due to pest and disease management issues,

Key words: Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS), food safety, quality testing, export,  Aerobic Plate Count, coliforms, E. coli, faecal coliforms, Listeria, Salmonella, ash, carbohydrates, fat / free fatty acids, sodium, potassium, calcium, moisture, protein, laboratory testing

The main export markets for Pacific Island taro are New Zealand and Australia. The competitiveness of taro in these markets can be significantly affected by the quarantine requirements of the importing countries. In recent years, the main quarantine issue associated with Fiji taro exports to New Zealand is the presence of nematodes. Frequently during on-arrival inspections of taro consignments nematodes are discovered and as a result most consignments exported to New Zealand are fumigated. Fumigation adds to the exporters’ cost structure, and decreases the shelf-life

Samoa was the dominant supplier of taro to the New Zealand market until late 1993 when taro leaf blight (TLB) devastated the Samoan taro industry. Local production for export markets declined dramatically and it is only in recent times, through the Taro Improvement Programme led by the University of the South Pacific (USP) at Alafua, that the development of TLB-resistant varieties has given rise to the possibility of re-establishing exports of taro to New Zealand. Nevertheless, the export market in New Zealand continues to be

Vanuatu has been identified as having a range of value-added food industries and a range of products have been identified as of prime interest including kava, vanilla, spices, copra and copra meal, cocoa and meat. A range of diagnostic services (skills, equipment and procedures) are required to ensure such products meet quality and/or safety standards (e.g. water quality testing) and to show compliance of the product itself with the standards. The islands of Efate (Port Vila) and Santo (Luganville) both support a range of the

PHAMA funded the current bee disease survey to help maintain existing market access into New Zealand in particular. Samoa has an estimated 21 beekeepers operating 403 hives on 47 apiaries1. The annual honey crop is approximately 8 tonne per year most of which is consumed within Samoa (Dean, 2009 and pers. comm.). Samoa exports small quantities of honey to Australia and New Zealand each year but has the potential to increase this. Key words: European foulbrood (EFB), Paenibacillus alvei, Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), Israeli Acute Paralysis

Exports of bananas to New Zealand have occurred sporadically from Samoa prior to 2009. In 2009, Women in Business Development Inc. (WIBDI) began trial shipments of organic misiluki bananas with a view to develop a commercial export pathway. Practical difficulties in sourcing adequate supply of fresh bananas, the variable and delicate nature of misiluki bananas, and interceptions of a range of mites and insects on-arrival have hindered the development of this export pathway since 2009. This short term project was to investigate the quarantine status

Asure Quality New Zealand (AQ) was contracted by PHAMA in August 2012 to implement the following training activities in Vanuatu: To train six Ni-Vanuatu students as Meat Inspectors in Ante Mortem and Post Mortem Inspection for three species of stock (Bovine, Porcine and Ovine). To provide a Meat Inspection Refresher Training Programme for existing Inspectors. To develop an ongoing Monitoring Programme for the Meat Inspection Service. To train two Qualified Meat Inspectors to act as trainers for the future. To provide Asure Quality Training resource

The Samoan Market Access Working Group (MAWG) identified three products to be considered by the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA) in terms of facilitating market access to New Zealand. These included: Pineapples – Samoa currently does not have market access to New Zealand Meyer lemons – Samoa currently does not have market access to New Zealand Foliage (principally dracaena and cordyline) – Samoa currently has restrictive market access to New Zealand. The purpose of this study was to determine if the economic

Exports of meat products to American Samoa ceased in 2003. The trade was never a commercial one, and was based on personal consignments. There is no clear private sector interest in developing a commercial export pathway for meat to American Samoa. However, there is anecdotal evidence of reasonable levels of public interest in resuming access for personal consignments. Key words: beef, pork, poultry, USDA agency the Animal, Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Report on the Confirmatory Tests to Demonstrate the Efficacy of Commercial Force Hot Air as a Post-Harvest Quarantine Treatment for Eggs of Bactrocera passiflorae, Artificially Infested into Matured Spondias dulcis (wi). Key words: Polynesian Plum, fruit fly, HTFA

A scoping study was undertaken by PHAMA in late 2011 to assess the potential for developing cut flower and foliage exports to Australia (PHAMA Activity SOLS04; Technical Report 16). This study, which reviewed supply conditions in Solomon Islands as well as market conditions in Australia, concluded that there was sufficient potential, particularly for selected orchid varieties (Vandas and Spiders) and various forms of foliage (especially Crotons), to warrant further support for trial shipments to test the viability of the export pathway under commercial conditions, and

SAMOA3.1 (see PHAMA Technical Report 14). These workshops, which involved farmers, exporters, key government staff and staff from various other Samoan agencies, were designed to: Explain the key findings of Activity SAMOA3.1; Build consensus of what needs to be done to build sufficient export volume to enter the New Zealand market; Outline quality and volume issues on the supply side with a view to ensuring demand-side aspects of the value chain are understood; Act as a catalyst for discussion on the development of an overall

The export of coconut products is an important commodity trade for Samoa. The trade has gone through fluctuations after peaking in the 1980s. In recent years, coconut oil exports have increased again on the back of price increases. There is now only one copra processor in Samoa. This is Petroleum Product Services (PPS), which exports coconut oil to Malaysia and Singapore, and copra meal to New Zealand and the United States of America. Exports of both products by PPS have been increasing significantly in the

The Fiji Market Access Working Group (MAWG) requested that the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA) conduct preliminary export feasibility studies for six horticultural products to determine whether there is merit in pursuing formal market access arrangements for the Australian market. A study was undertaken during January–February 2012 in Fiji and Australia to assess the commercial prospects for the six commodities identified by the Fiji MAWG. During the course of the study, okra was identified as having significant promise, so the list was

While flowers have been utilised for centuries in Solomon Islands, commercial floriculture is relatively new. Today over 50 floriculture producers market through the Honiara Central Market on a regular basis, with around 500 households involved in the regular production of flowers for commercial purposes. Honiara has around 30 part-time florists, although there is just one full-time florist. Commercial trade in indigenous orchids from some of the more distant provinces into Honiara is beginning. There are currently no exports. Floriculture in Solomon Islands is ideal for

The fruit fly study undertaken during August–November 2011 comprised: An analysis of trapping and fruit sampling data to confirm the distribution of Bactrocera kirki within Fiji territories; A review of heat tolerance research undertaken in the Pacific to determine whether the current heat treatment used by Fiji for B. passiflorae and B. xanthodes will also kill B. kirki; and A scoping study to determine if B. kirki could be eradicated from Rotuma. Key words: fruit fly, host, Bactrocera kirki, plant protection, heat treatment, HTFA

This submission is intended to provide appropriate information to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) on the BSE status of Vanuatu to enable a risk assessment to be conducted for the existing trade in beef imports from Vanuatu into Australia. The submission is made in accordance with the FSANZ Imported Food Notice 06/11 regarding the end of interim arrangements under Australia’s BSE Food Safety Policy on June 30 2011. Key words: meat and bone meal, greaves, BSE, stock feeds, veterinary service, infection, bovine, beef, diagnostics,

The occurrence of taro leaf blight (TLB) in 1993 effectively destroyed Samoa’s taro industry and reduced exports to zero for a number of years. Following an extensive period of research and development, Samoa has now produced a range of TLB-resistant taro varieties. Government has directed that taro exports be considered as part of the industry’s revitalisation. Intervening years have seen Fiji establish itself as the dominant taro exporter to New Zealand, with 95% market share. Samoa is now looking to re-establish itself in the New

Historically, Fiji exported significant volumes of fresh mature ginger to North America and New Zealand. These markets were subsequently lost to Asian ginger suppliers. The focus of ginger exports has since shifted towards immature and processed ginger. The Japanese market has potential, however, the extent of exports to Japan at the current time is unclear. Key words: production, pathogens, pests, markets. United States of America, Canada. New Zealand, Japan, Australia, access, quarantine, biosecurity

There has been considerable focus in recent years on the taro export supply chain in Fiji, and the Pacific as a whole, with the objective of improving and expanding export opportunities. There are still, however, significant impediments that are yet to be overcome before this objective can be achieved. Major quality and phytosanitary issues in the supply chain continue to hinder current access, and, if left unchecked, could result in a reduction in opportunities rather than a desired expansion. Key words: Taro, taro corms, quarantine,

Samoa has made significant and commendable achievements in re-establishing the security of their domestic taro industry following its devastation by Taro leaf blight in 1993. Domestic production is now at the point where export markets could be pursued in an attempt to regain a considerable share of these markets. There are, however, significant impediments that would need to be overcome before Samoa could enter and be competitive in these markets. Under Australia’s recently proposed conditions for global taro corm imports Samoa would be excluded from