1. PROPER PRODUCT HANDLING, STORAGE & CERTIFICATION
Fitzroy Gordon
Certification & Compliance Manager

2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK The Plant Quarantine Act (1993) and its regulation
The Plant (Importation) Control (Amendments) Regulation, 2005
The Citrus Plant (Certification) Regulation, 1999 under the Plant Quarantine Act 1993
The Agricultural Produce Act (1926)

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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
Yam, Pepper, & Thyme

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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)

10. 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.

11. UNIDIRECTIONAL FLOW

12. PRODUCE BIN & CRATE

13. PRODUCE CRATES

14. 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.

15. HAND WASH FACILITY

16. 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.

17. 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)

18. DRYING RACK

19. YAMS DRYING

20. YAMS DRYING

21. CORRECT PACKAGING

22. CORRECTLY STACKED

23. PACKAGING & STACKING

24. LABELING (minimum) Company Name Name of Produce Weight
“Produce of Jamaica”

25. USDA PRE-CLEARED PROGRAM
A collaboration between USDA/APHIS International Services and the Jamaica Ministry of Agriculture.

26. 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

27. 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.

28. QUARANTINE TREATMENT
Mandatory fumigation is required for Peppers, Thyme and Yams as a condition of entry into the United States.

29. 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

30. EXPORTING PROCESS Make appointment for inspection (24- 72hrs)
Documents required:
ASYCUDA
Commercial invoice
Letter from JAMPRO

31. PROCESSING OF DOCUMENTS
Jamaica Customs Department
Plant Quarantine/ Produce Inspection Unit
Airline /Wharf

32. Main Office (Hope Gardens)
/6401
(fax)
Website
Export Complex
Airport, Kingston ,
(fax)
Airport, Montego Bay
(fax)
USDA-APHIS – Kingston –

33. HELP US PROTECT OUR INDUSTRY AND OUR FOREIGN MARKETS.
THANK YOU