Japan MAFF has confirmed that this season there will be a likely increase in the level of inspections on arrival for our cherries exported to Japan. This measure has been adopted by Japan MAFF in lieu of their annual visits to New Zealand, which are unable to proceed this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Several weeks ago, Summerfruit NZ sent a proposal to Japan MAFF (through MPI) to conduct virtual audits as an alternative way of reassuring this market that our systems fully comply with the OAP – Cherries to Japan. In spite of our efforts trying to communicate our proposal to Japan we have not received a response from them on this, but only confirmation on the possibility of an increased inspection regime.