Inspection Services

National Plant and Plant Production Inspection Services (NPPPIS)

Render national plant risk management inspection/auditing services at different regions nationally.

Ports of Entry Point Control (PEPC) Air, Sea, and Land Ports

Port of Entry Point Control

The Republic of South Africa is a member of the WTO-SPS agreement and therefore complies with the requirements set by the International Standard Setting Bodies.  The sub-directorate (PEPC) within Inspection Services (DIS) is mandated to regulate the import and export of agricultural products at the ports of entry guided by various legislations and international agreements and obligations.

Our mandate: PEPC mandate at the ports is to ensure effective national regulatory services and risk management systems. This mandate is achieved through the management of the risks associated with animal diseases, plant pests, and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and the promotion of food safety

Legislative mandate

PEPC is currently tasked to administer the following legislations at the ports:

• Fertilizers, Farm feeds, Agricultural remedies and stock remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947)
• Plant Improvement Act, 1976 (Act No. 53 of 1976)
• Plant Breeders’ Rights Act, 1976 (Act No. 15 of 1976)
• Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983)
• Animal Diseases Act 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984)
• Liquor Products Act, 1989 (Act No.60 of 1989)
• Agricultural Products Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990)
• Genetically Modified Organisms Act, 1997 (Act No 15 of 1997)
• Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act No. 62 of 1998)
• Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act No.40 of 2000)
• Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No 6 of 2002)

LANDBORDERS STRUCTURE

Animal Quarantine and Inspection Services (AQIS)

Render Animal Quarantine and inspection services.

PQHDs

Plant Quarantine

Function

Imported plants, plant materials have the potential to harbor exotic pathogenic organisms that may be of quarantine importance in terms of the Agricultural Pest Act, 1983 (Act no 36 of 1983). Accidental introduction of these regulated quarantine pests can present serious risks to South Africa’s agricultural industry, the direct environment and/or people's health. The NPPO of South Africa (NPPOZA) based on a pest risk analysis (PRA) may pose post entry quarantine as a risk management measure on different crops or commodities.

Plants are held in PEQ facilities for inspection and/or diagnostic testing before final release. PEQ facilities and management systems are designed to prevent the escape of regulated pathogenic organisms that may be associated with imported plants and plant material

Imported propagation material (cuttings, seed, tissue culture, etc.) of quarantine crops are established and maintained at one of the two official plant quarantine stations, approved external quarantine facilities and outsourced institutions.

The following crops are currently handled under a post-entry quarantine period:

Mediterranean Crops: Stone fruit (peach, plum, apricot, almond, cherry, nectarine), pome fruit (apple, pear, quince), other Prunus spp, grapevine, olive, hops, strawberries, raspberries, Ribes spp (currants, etc.), Protea, Leucadendron, Leucospermum, Adenanthos, Brunia, blueberries (Vaccinium), figs, Morus, persimmons (Diospyros), walnuts (Juglans), Pistachia, pomegranates (Punica) and hazelnuts (Corylus).
Sub-Tropical Crops: Litchi, Avocado
Citrus
Sugar Cane 

OBJECTIVE OF POST-ENTRY QUARANTINE (PEQ) OF PLANTS

To exclude regulated pathogenic organisms from South Africa by isolating imported plants and plant material after importation in order to perform inspections and diagnostic testing designed to detect the presence of quarantine pests and diseases and to verify the phytosanitary status of plants. Plant quarantine should not be regarded as a process to free or “clean” plant material of regulated organisms. If a particular pathway or plant species is found which routinely harbors regulated organisms, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) may take action to close that pathway or impose further restrictions or conditions on future imports of material of the specific species.

ORGANOGRAM

The Division Plant Quarantine Services resorts under the Directorate Inspection Services in the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Services rendered by the Division Plant Quarantine Services

• Facilitate the importation of plant propagation material of new fruit cultivars/varieties into South Africa.
• Advisory service to importers on procedures, requirements, regulations and acts pertaining to the importation of plant propagation material into South Africa
• Maintenance and monitoring of plant propagation material while in post-entry quarantine and giving feedback to clients/importers regularly
• Engage and communicate with stakeholders/clients/importers through meetings on a regular basis
• Facilitate the diagnostic testing and evaluation of imported plant propagation material during the post-entry quarantine period.
• Provide plant propagation material of high quality and pest-free to clients/importers after release from post-entry quarantine.

Plant Health Diagnostic Services

Mandate:

To provide an efficient and effective phytosanitary diagnostic service based on the WTO-SPS principles of detection, identification and interception of pests and pathogens of trade and quarantine importance in order to protect trade and safeguard our agricultural environment and natural resources.

Functions:

• Develop and implement methodologies, policies, systems and procedures in plant diagnostics
• Provision of technical and scientific  support and advice
• Perform technical and scientific diagnostic analyses and regulatory functions
• Improve methodologies through research and networking
• Develop and train human capital

Organogram:

The Division Plant Quarantine Services resorts under the Directorate Inspection Services in the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.