Fitzroy Gordon
Certification & Compliance Manager
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
 The Plant Quarantine Act (1993) and its
regulation
1. The Plant (Importation) Control
(Amendments) Regulation, 2005
2. The Citrus Plant (Certification) Regulation,
1999 under the Plant Quarantine Act 1993
 The Agricultural Produce Act (1926)
MANDATE
To ensure that only the highest quality
produce is imported into the island and
exported to our trading partners.
To ensure that no harmful exotic plant pests
are introduced and become established in the
island.
EXPORT COMPLEXES
(ONE STOP)
There
are two Agricultural Export Complexes
operated by the Plant Quarantine Branch,
they are located at the International Airports
in Kingston and Montego Bay.
 Function as one-stop facilities housing all relevant
agencies, Airlines, Customs, USDA, MOAF
Inspectorate; Fumigation and Accounting staff.
 Provides the following services:
• Inspection and certification of agricultural produce
for exports
• Cold and Ambient storage
• Preclearance of agricultural produce to the USA
• Fumigation of agricultural produce
o Yam, Pepper, & Thyme
PACKING HOUSE
REQUIREMENTS
 Building must be separate from a dwelling
house.
 Building must be of sound construction.
 Floor must be of concrete to facilitate washing
after packing.
 Floor space should be a minimum of 1,000 sq.
ft.
• Packing house must be separate from any
activity that could be considered incompatible
with the handling of fresh produce.
• Access to telephone is recommended.
• There must be adequate space for loading and
unloading of produce.
• Building must be protected against the entry of
insects, birds, rodents or anything likely to
contaminate the produce.
• There should be adequate provisions in the
packing house to ensure proper inspection of
produce by Plant Quarantine/Produce
Inspectors.
• All operations must take place under cover of
the approved packing house.
 Suitable fixtures and equipment for grading and
handling of the produce must be in place, such as:
• Tables for sorting and grading
• Tanks for washing and chemical treatment
• Drying racks or pallets.
 Building should have:
• Adequate lighting
• Adequate drainage
• Adequate ventilation
• Proper sanitary facilities
• Adequate storage space (for boxes and chemicals)
PACKING HOUSE OPERATIONS
 Maintain unidirectional flow to prevent cross -
contamination.
 Use proper containers to transport and store
produce.
 Ensure separation and proper use of produce
containers, e.g. bins and crates; clean
containers for cleaned produce.
 Do not overstock produce containers.
 Do not toss, throw nor drop produce into
containers, handle with care, it adds value to
your market.
UNIDIRECTIONAL FLOW
PRODUCE BIN & CRATE
PRODUCE CRATES
HAND HYGIENE
 Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
before handling or cutting fresh produce.
 Rewash hands after breaks, visiting restrooms,
sneezing, coughing, handling trash or money,
or anytime hands become soiled or otherwise
contaminated.
 If gloves are used, wash hands before putting
gloves on.
 Hand wash station must be located at the
entrance to work area.
HAND WASH FACILITY
PURCHASING & RECEIVING
 Maintain clean and pest-free storage area and




delivery vehicle.
Ensure vendors are getting produce from reputable
sources.
Check storage and handling practices of vendors.
Establish procedures for inspecting and accepting
or rejecting incoming produce (check condition of
produce and transport).
Inspect produce for obvious and not so obvious
signs of damage, either cut away the affected area
or do not use the item.
PREPERATION & STORAGE
 Produce should be appropriately cleaned, all
foreign matter removed, (importantly; pests)
 Produce should be allowed to dry adequately, if
applicable.
 Do not allow produce to stand in water.
 Packed in appropriate containers.
 Appropriately stored, (cold or ambient)
DRYING RACK
YAMS DRYING
YAMS DRYING
CORRECT PACKAGING
CORRECTLY STACKED
PACKAGING & STACKING
LABELING
Company Name
Name of Produce
Weight
“Produce of Jamaica”
(minimum)
USDA PRE-CLEARED
PROGRAM
A collaboration between USDA/APHIS
International Services and the Jamaica
Ministry of Agriculture.
BENEFITS
Expedites Trade
•Minimal Inspection on arrival at US
ports
•Facilitates open trade of high risk
commodities.
•Avoids rejection or delays upon
arrival
•Faster access to markets
APPROVED PRE-CLEARED
PRODUCTS
•52 Jamaican commodities are
enterable into the United States under
the Pre-Clearance program.
•They include fruits, vegetables, root
crops and flowers.
QUARANTINE TREATMENT
Mandatory fumigation is required for
Peppers, Thyme and Yams as a
condition of entry into the United
States.
MARKET ACCESS FOR NEW
COMMODITIES
 Request made to Plant Quarantine Branch by
Exporter
 Request sent to the importing Country’s PRA Unit
e.g. USDA-APHIS or Barbados Agriculture by the
Plant Quarantine Unit
 Importing Country request information on pest list
associated with the produce, area grown, how
much, how will it be used, packaged and how much
will be shipped etc.
 PRA conducted to determine the risk the entry of
this commodity could have on their agriculture
EXPORTING PROCESS
Make appointment for inspection (2472hrs)
Documents required:
•ASYCUDA
•Commercial invoice
•Letter from JAMPRO
PROCESSING OF
DOCUMENTS
Plant Quarantine/
Produce Inspection
Unit
Jamaica
Customs
Department
Airline /Wharf
 Main Office (Hope Gardens)
977-0637/6401
977-6992 (fax)
Website www.moa.gov.jm
Email [email protected]
 Export Complex
• Airport, Kingston
924-8906, 924-8736
924-8907 (fax)
• Airport, Montego Bay 940-4146
940-5661 (fax)
 USDA-APHIS – Kingston – 924-8904
HELP US
PROTECT OUR INDUSTRY
AND OUR
FOREIGN MARKETS.
THANK YOU