AUSTRALIA, PHILIPPINES SIGN AGREEMENT TO BOOST QUARANTINE CAPABILITIES
Ambassador Tony Hely and OIC-Director Lealyn Ramos of the Bureau of Plant Industry
The Australian and Philippine governments recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will provide training and assessment of local quarantine officers and Philippine fumigation industry personnel based on Australian standards.
The MOA, signed by Australian Ambassador Tony Hely and OIC-Director Lealyn Ramos of the Bureau of Plant Industry, will see the implementation of the Australian Fumigation and Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) under the supervision of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).
AQIS forms part of the Australian government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and provides quarantine inspection for international passengers, cargo, mail, animals, plants, and animal or plant products arriving in Australia. They also provide inspection and certification for a range of agricultural products exported from Australia.
The successful implementation of AFAS in the Philippines will ensure the effectiveness of fumigations performed on goods for export to Australia meet Australia’s import clearance requirements. By signing this Agreement, the Philippines is positioning itself to be able to provide trade to Australia that is unlikely to be delayed at the quarantine border.