A horticulture industry incident response protocol for domestic and export markets is being developed through a Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) project with the protocol to be available to industry and businesses mid 2008.

The protocol covers issues such as what to do if a food borne human pathogen or unacceptable pesticide residues are found in produce in domestic or export markets. I

t will deal with the practical steps that need to be put in place as well as the communication efforts that need to be taken surrounding these steps.

While industry hopes it never happens, each horticultural industry and its growers need to be empowered by such tools and be confident to deal with potential food safety incidents in domestic and export markets. In this way, the horticulture industry endeavours to provide greater confidence in the produce supplied to all markets as well as addressing any incidence efficiently.

This work will be supported by a national network of food safety experts who have been providing advice on a range of food safety activities for a number of years. The network includes expertise on pesticide residues, microbiology, quality assurance systems, postharvest technology and communications. Members of the network have been responsible for a number of food safety initiatives including the Guidelines for On-Farm Food Safety for Fresh Produce, available from the HAL website www.horticulture.com.au.

For more information contact:
Richard Bennett, QA / Food Safety Manager, HAL
E: richard.bennett@horticulture.com.au

Brad Wells, Plant Health Manager, HAL
E: brad.wells@horticulture.com.au