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PROTOCOL OF PHYTOSANITARY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPORT OF FRESH YOUNG COCONUTS FROM PHILIPPINES TO CHINA BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

In order to safely export fresh young coconuts from Philippines to China and guarantee the safety of China's agricultural and forestry production, based on the results of pest risk analysis (PRA), the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines ( hereinafter referred to as "DA") and General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as "GACC") have reached the agreement on the export of fresh young coconuts from Philippines to China as follows through amicable negotiations.

Article 1

The fresh young coconuts (Cocos nucifera Linnaeus) refers to coconuts which have grown 8-9 months after blooming. Philippine fresh young coconuts exported to China must be shaved (outer peel and stalk removed) and must comply with all applicable Chinese phytosanitary laws and regulations , sanitary and safety standards, and with the requirements stated herein, and be free from any quarantine pests of concern to China (as stated in Appendix 1 ).

Article 2

All fresh young coconuts exported to China must be sourced from farms in Mindanao and Leyte islands only. All farms and packing houses must be registered with DA, and approved by GACC. Registration shall include name, address and registration number, for the purpose of traceability. The registration record must be forwarded by the DA to the GACC on an annual basis upon request.

Article 3

To establish traceability system, all farms registered for export to China must apply Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). All farms shall be kept in sanitary conditions, adopt an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system which includes control measures, such as monitoring, chemical or biological pest controls and agricultural handling, etc.

All farms must keep records of pest monitoring and control, which must be delivered to GACC upon request. The pest control record must indicate specific information, including name of active ingredient, date of application and agrochemical dosages applied during growth.

Phytosanitary quarantine activities in farms producing for export must be performed under the guidance of technical personnel knowledgeable in phytosanitary aspects, such as pest control and monitoring, etc.

Article 4

4.1 Management measures for Coconut cadang-cadang viroid

Fresh young coconuts for export to China must be sourced from CCCVd free place of production. DA shall take necessary measures to keep the farm and packinghouse pest-free including the monitoring of CCCVd at least 4 times yearly in each location. Meanwhile, coconut and all parts of the tree from cadang-cadang infested areas must be prohibited to be transported to Mindanao and Leyte islands. DA will provide on request relevant information to the GACC regarding the monitoring. If CCCVd is detected in pest free places of production, the export of fresh young coconuts to China from that place of production will be suspended.

After CCCVd is eradicated by DA and get approval in GACC, the pest free place of production will be recovered.

Before the first export , DA must provide GACC with a monitoring record of 3 years of the export area .

4.2 Management measures for other quarantine pests.

Farms must be monitored monthly. If quarantine pests are detected, DA shall immediately inform the GACC. The necessary measures, including chemical and biological controls , shall be taken to ensure that any of quarantine pests shall not be carried by fresh young coconuts to China.

Article 5

The process of packing , storage and transportation of fresh young coconuts will be carried out under the supervision of DA.

During the packing process , the fresh young coconuts must be removed from deformed fruit , and be free from insects, mites , leaves, roots, soil and other foreign matters.

The packing materials must be cleaned , sanitized , unused and in conformity with China's plant quarantine requirements. If wooden packing is used , it must comply with ISPM 15.

Packed fresh young coconut shall be immediately stored in a cold storage , separate from others to prevent secondary pest infestation. Boxes of young coconuts are then loaded onto reefer containers for land or sea transportation.

Each packing box shall be labeled in Chinese or English with the description of the product , country , place of origin and the name and registered number of farm and packinghouse, etc. Each packing box and pallet will be marked with the following text in Chinese---------- (Exported to the People's Republic of China). The same text must be marked on each box to be exported by airfreight.

Reefer Containers must be checked for cleanliness and for possible presence of pests prior to loading.

Article 6

Within two years of trade development, each batch of fresh young coconuts intended for export to China should be sampled for quarantine inspection at a rate of 2% by DA officials. If no quarantine problems are detected during the 2-years period, the sample rate shall be reduced to 1%. In case any living quarantine pest of concern is detected, the whole consignment will not be exported. DA will take measures according to the actual situation until the pest is identified and corrective actions are effectively implemented. Meanwhile, DA will keep the records of interceptions and provide them to GACC on request.

For fresh young coconuts that are approved by the quarantine inspection, DA will issue the Phytosanitary Certificate, which will indicate the container number and include the following additional statement: "This consignment of fresh young coconuts conform to the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh young coconuts from Philippines to China , and will not carry quarantine pests concerned by China."

Article 7

Shipments of Philippine fresh young coconut must only be discharged at designated and authorized Chinese ports by the GACC.

When the consignment arrives at the port of entry in China, an application for inspection will be submitted to the China Customs under the GACC. Inspection and quarantine officials will check the Phytosanitary Certificate and other related documnents and marks and conduct inspection and quarantine.

If the fresh young coconuts are found to be sourced from an unauthorized farm or packinghouse, the consignment will not be allowed to enter China.

If CCCVd is detected, the consignment will be returned or destroyed. Meanwhile, GACC will immediately notify DA and require suspending the export of fresh young coconuts to China from the farms and packinghouses in relevant area. DA will immediately investigate the situation so as to identify the pathogen and take corrective actions. Based on the results of the corrective measures conducted by DA, GACC will decide to resume the exportation.

Besides CCCVd, other quarantine pest of concern to China listed in Appendix 1 or any other quarantine pest not reported by Philippines is detected, the consignment will be returned , destroyed or treated. If a pest is detected repetitiously from the same farm or packing house, GACC will notify DA and suspend the export of fresh young coconuts to China from relevant farms and packing houses.

Article 8

GACC will send two quarantine inspectors to Philippine for a compliance inspection, with the assistance of DA to coconut growing areas in the Philippines including package and storage facilities. The purpose of the visit is to ensure that the Philippine fresh young coconut for export to China comply with the requirements of this protocol. In collaboration with DA, GACC will conduct joint inspection for the pest monitoring and prevention process, as well as management of packing and storage facilities of farms wishing to export to China.

Any costs relating to the aforesaid supervision, including transportation and accommodation, shall be borne by the Philippine party.

Article 9

Based on the outbreak and intercepted diseases and pests on fresh young coconut from Philippines, GACC will carry out further risk assessment and consult with DA to adjust the list of quarantine pests and relevant quarantine measures.

In order to guarantee full compliance with the requirements stated by the control and management measures, the GACC shall conduct a retrospective review of the quarantine requirements for fresh young coconut upon five years of exports hereunder, including inspector visits to the Philippines. The protocol shall then be amended as required based on the outcome of this inspection and with the agreement of both parties.

This Protocol was signed in Manila on November 20, 2018 and will come into effect from the date of signing. Signed in two originals, each in English and Chinese languages. This Protocol is in duplicate. Each party shall retain one copy. Both texts are equally valid.

The Protocol will be valid for a period of two years. After this period, the validity period will automatically be extended for subsequent two years, if both parties do not propose the requirement for amendment or termination six months before the expiry date.

(Sgd.) On behalf of The Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines

(Sgd.)   On behalf of General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China