TECHNICAL REPORTS

ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL GINGER EXPORT ISSUES TO AUSTRALIA

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

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EXPORT ISSUES FOR FIJI TARO TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

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,

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EXPORT ISSUES FOR SAMOAN TARO TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

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

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INVESTIGATION OF DIAGNOSTIC REQUIREMENTS TO SERVICE VARIOUS VALUE-ADDED INDUSTRIES

Preliminary market access priorities were identified by the Vanuatu Market Access Working Group in February 2011 and included in the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA) 3-Month Strategic Plan for April to June 2011. This report covers one of the two priorities included for Vanuatu – investigation of diagnostic requirements to service various value-added industries. The value-added industries included in the terms of reference for this study were cocoa, copra meal, virgin coconut oil, kava, vanilla and small quantities of other spices. During

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REPORT ON GIANT AFRICAN SNAIL IN SOLOMON ISLANDS

Since first being detected in 2006, Giant African Snail (GAS) has spread widely in and around Honiara and to several areas on Guadalcanal. To date GAS has only been identified in two provincial areas: eradication appears to have been achieved at Noro while the response is in its early stages at Makira. However, due to limited surveillance and awareness in provincial areas, GAS may be distributed more widely than currently understood. Eradication is beyond the resource capability of the Solomon Island Quarantine and Inspection Service

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VIABILITY OF THE HTFA FACILITY AS A TREATMENT OPTION FOR THE EXPORT OF FRUIT FLY HOST COMMODITIES TO NZ

he costs associated with transporting, treating and exporting fruit to New Zealand from Vanuatu are relatively expensive, although they are not at present considered to be too prohibitive to prevent exports of higher value products such as limes and eggplant. There are, however, a number of risks associated with this export pathway which at this time outweigh any potential benefits of its reestablishment. Key words: lime, eggplant, papaya, fruit fly, fruit fly host, HTFA, methyl bromide fumigation, quarantine, biosecurity 

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DRAFT REVIEW OF IMPORT CONDITIONS FOR FRESH TARO CORMS – RESPONSE TO BIOSECURITY AUSTRALIA

The Draft Review of Import Conditions for Fresh Taro Corms was released for public comment by Biosecurity Australia on 1 March 2011 and the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access program (PHAMA) submit comments for consideration prior to finalisation of this review policy. Key words: taro, taro corms, Fiji ginger weevil, taro beetles, taro plant hopper, taro leaf blight, taro vein chlorosis virus, nematode, pest management, risk management

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FEASIBILITY STUDY OF DIMETHOATE DIP TREATMENT TO FACILITATE THE EXPORT OF FRUIT FLY HOST COMMODITIES TO FIJI

The purpose of this report is to outline the feasibility of developing a sustainable fruit fly risk mitigation pathway for fruit fly host commodities using dimethoate dipping, for Tonga into Fiji. The report is structured into: Recommendations for the Tongan Market Access Working Group (TMAWG) An overview of the use of dimethoate as a biosecurity treatment in the region Discussion on the fruit flies in Tonga that are likely to be of quarantine concern Follow-up desk, lab and field based activities. Initial discussions on the

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REVIEW OF THE DIAGNOSTIC REQUIREMENTS TO ASCERTAIN COCOA AND COPRA MEAL QUALITY STANDARDS

Cocoa exports are of increasing importance to Solomon Islands and significant efforts are being made by the industry with donor assistance to increase production, improve export returns and quality. Current legislated quality standards and testing capacity are recognised by industry as being inadequate when compared to the quality requirements of targeted export markets. The industry wishes to develop a new quality standard based on target market requirements and to establish access to adequate quality testing capacity to support market access, protect exporters against reduced payments

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