New ZealandGives Consent Finally After Years of Negotiations

The Council of Agriculture (COA) said after five years of negotiations with the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, New Zealand has finally agreed to import from now on Phalaenopsis orchids with cultivation medium according to the “Work Plan on Exporting Phalaenopsis Orchids with Cultivation Medium from Taiwan to New Zealand” and New Zealand regulations governing import quarantine and inspections. This is the first time New Zealand agreed to import Phalaenopsis orchids with cultivation medium in system approach, and Taiwan broke again  quarantine restrictions on exports to open up new market for Phalaenopsis orchids in the southern hemisphere after entering the Australian market early this year.

Creating Export Growth Again Based on Operation for Phalaenopsis Orchids with Medium Exported to United States

In the past New Zealandrequired that Phalaenopsis orchids export to New Zealandhad to remove the cultivation medium and be treated by chemicals, and then the orchids must undergo 3-month quarantine in isolation after reaching New Zealand , noted the Council. To assist local businesses in breaking the strict quarantine and inspection restrictions, the COA applied to New Zealandgovernment in August 2006 for the export of Phalaenopsis orchids with cultivation medium based on the operation for Phalaenopsis orchids exported to the United States . The two sides has conducted many rounds of negotiation for five years and finally decided the content of the “Work Plan on Exporting Phalaenopsis Orchids with Cultivation Medium from Taiwanto New Zealand ” after New Zealandofficials went to Taiwan to verify the certification.

Taiwan has been allowed to export Phalaenopsis orchids with cultivation medium to the United Statessince 2005, and 14.26 million orchids with a total value of US$36.58 million were exported to America in 2010. The export value was 5.5 times that of exported Phalaenopsis orchids with bare root, and now Taiwan Phalaenopsis orchids account for 70% of the U.S. market. Now that Phalaenopsis orchids with cultivation medium are allowed to be export to New Zealand , the survival rate of exported orchids can be increased to more than 90% and the spending on isolation facility certification and regular quarantine and inspections will be saved.

COA Assists Businesses in Opening up New Markets through Guidance and Supervision

New Zealand has always been strict with quarantine and inspections, so the COA has based the “Work Plan on Exporting Phalaenopsis Orchids to New Zealand” on the requirements made by the United States on exported Taiwan Phalaenopsis orchids, and joined control specifications for the risk of epidemic diseases and pests about which New Zealand concerned. For instance, the exporter must ensure that the female parent of orchid sprouts is not infected with such viruses as CaCV or BaRMV. If the orchids are not cultivated with non-New Zealandproduced aquatic plants, the aquatic plants must be subject to treatment in 80 degrees Celsius hot water and pesticides and antiseptics must be applied 14 days before the orchids are exported. The Council has also successfully persuaded New Zealandinto agreeing that orchid sprouts cultivated in qualified greenhouses for export to the United States , whose cultivation process is verified to be in line with New Zealandregulations, can be export to New Zealand after passing virus inspections.

To help the orchid industry’s production operations conform to New Zealandregulations, the COA has set up an ad hoc group to formulate industry operating instructions and work forms, and will actively guide businesses to comply with Work Plan requirements so as to be eligible to export Phalaenopsis orchids to New Zealand . Moreover, during the period of Phalaenopsis seedling growth, the Council will strictly supervise to ensure that businesses actually implement measures for epidemic disease and pest control and fill in relevant forms to keep a record. The Council will also offer businesses professional advice on pest diagnosis, identification, prevention and treatment, in combination with the professional services of research institutes, during the process of cultivation. Although the volume of Taiwan Phalaenopsis orchids exported to New Zealandwas limited in the past, the orchid industry can export Phalaenopsis orchids with medium according to new regulations following the implementation of the Work Plan, said the Council, adding that the new regulations will greatly help increase the market share of Taiwan Phalaenopsis orchids in New Zealand . (2011-09-02 )