AFAS Scheme – For Exports to Australia

AFAS Scheme – Action Plan for Fumigators / Exporters (1) Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) has now commenced the ‘phase in’ period for the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) – India . The phase is period will end on 1^st May, 2006. During the phase in period AQIS will accept Methyl bromide treatment certificates from all Indian fumigators, provided the certificate is valid and the fumigator is not on AQIS’s list of unacceptable treatment providers or under investigation by AQIS. (1) The phase in period will provide an opportunity for Australian importers and brokers to identify Indian AFAS Registered fumigators and to make arrangements to ensure all fumigations undertaken on or after 1^st May, 2006 are performed by AFAS India registered treatment providers (AFAS accredited fumigation operators). The list released to Australian brokers and importers can be accessed on the internet www.aqis.gov.au/afastp (2) Non-AFAS accredited fumigation agencies, accredited under NSPM-12 by Government of India may also undertake fumigation of the commodities destined to Australia as per AQIS requirements subject to supervision of the fumigation by AFAS accredited Indian plant quarantine officer and endorsement on the fumigation certificate by such AFAS accredited Indian PQ officer who has supervised and monitored the fumigation (AFAS accredited PQ Officers).