Transport & Handling
9.2 Transport & Handling
9.2.1 Products referred to in Section 1 of this Standard which are not in their packaging for the end consumer should be transported in a closed manner which should prevent contamination or substitution of the content with substances or product not compatible with this Standard and the following information, without prejudice to any other indications required by law:
- The name and address of the person responsible for the production or preparation of the product.
- The name of the product.
- That the product is of organic status.
However, the closing of packaging or containers is not required where:
(a) transportation is between a producer and another operator who are both complying with the provisions of the NZFSA official organic assurances programme, and
(b) the products are accompanied by a document giving the information required under 9.2.3.
9.2.2 The certified operator owning the product at the point of transport shall be responsible for maintaining the organic integrity in the transport process, unless transport operations are certified in their own right.
9.2.3 Where an operator runs several production units in the same area producing plants or plant products not covered in Section 1 (Scope) together with storage premises for input products (such as fertilisers, plant protection products, seed) these must all also be included in the OMP, GE crops will not be allowed to be grown on the non-organic part of the property. Plants of the same variety as those produced at the unit referred to in 9.2.1 may not be produced at these units.
However, producers are exempt from the requirement in the last sentence of 9.2.3:
(a) in production of perennial plant products (fruit growing, vines and hops) provided the following conditions are met:
1. the production in question forms part of a conversion plan in respect of which the producer gives a firm undertaking and which provides for the beginning of the conversion of the last part of the area concerned to organic production in the shortest possible period, which may not in any event exceed a maximum of five years,
2. appropriate measures have been taken to ensure the permanent separation of the products obtained from each unit concerned,
3. the TPA is notified of the harvest of each of the products concerned at least 48 hours in advance,
4. immediately upon completion of the harvest, the producer informs the TPA of the exact quantities harvested on the units concerned together with any particular distinguishing features (such as quality, colour, average weight, etc.) and confirms that the measures described in the OMP to separate the products have been applied,
5. the conversion plan and the measures referred to in points 1 and 2 have been approved by the TPA. This approval must be confirmed each year after the start of the conversion plan;
(b) in the case of areas intended for agricultural research agreed by national authorities, provided that conditions 9.2.3 (a) 2., 3., and 4. and the relevant part of condition 5 are met;
(c) in the case of production of seed, vegetative propagating material and transplants, provided that conditions 9.2.3 (a) 2., 3., and 4. and the relevant part of condition 5. are met.
An exemption to 9.2.3 applies on approval by the TPAs under a derogation expiring 31 December 2010 except for the GM requirement.
