The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) have just signed a Protocol on phytosanitary requirements for durians exported from Vietnam to China.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) have just signed a Protocol on phytosanitary requirements for durians exported from Vietnam to China.

Accordingly, Vietnamese durian will be imported through all Chinese border gates that are allowed by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China to import fruit. Upon arrival at the border gate, this country's customs will check relevant documents and records and complete the quarantine inspection process with durian fruit.

Shipments from unregistered growing areas or packing facilities will not be imported into China.

In particular, durian fruits exported to China will have to comply with the country's laws, regulations and standards related to food safety and hygiene and not be infected with plant quarantine organisms of China's concern.

This Protocol shall enter into force for three years from the date of signing. In the first 2 years, the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development must inspect the plant quarantine, taking 2% samples. If no phytosanitary violations are detected, the sampling rate will be reduced to 1%.

In case the shipment is found to be inconsistent with China's food safety standards, soil and leaves are detected, the consignment will be refused to be imported or destroyed.

Before the first shipment is exported, MARD must submit to GACC a list of registered growers and packing facilities for approval and this list will be updated regularly. This list will be posted on GACC's website.

All planting areas registered for export to China must develop a quality management and traceability system, apply good agricultural practices (GAP) and ensure conditions such as sanitation and hygiene, away from sources of pollution, etc.

At the same time, an integrated pest management (IPM) program must be applied, including pest surveillance, chemical or biological control, and other farming practices.

In addition, growing areas are required to maintain pest control and monitoring records, which will be made available to the GACC upon request. A dossier of pest control by chemical means must contain specific information including drug name, active ingredient, date of use and dosage used in the cultivation process, etc.

Kylie Nguyen