Risk Management Proposal:   
Fresh Onion Bulbs ( Allium cepa L.)  
for consumption, from the People’s Republic of 
China  
 
FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
September 2013  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
Fresh Produce Imports  
Import & Export Standards Branch  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
Pastoral House  
25 The Terrace  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6011  
New Zealand  
 
Tel: +64 4 894 5514  
Fax: +64 4 894 0662  
    Email: plantimports@mpi.govt.nz   
1 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
   
  
  
   
Contents    Page 
 
Purpose  2 
Background  2 
Commodity description  2 
Trade  2 
Source information  2 
International setting 2 
Objective 3 
Summary of Risk  3 
Risk management  4 
Pre-harvest activities  5 
Post-harvest activities  6 
Regulatory/offici al activities  7 
Feasibility & practicality of measures 8 
Proposed IHS requirements  8 
References  10 
APPENDIX 1: REGULATE D PESTS  11 
APPENDIX 2: SUMMARY OF THE ONION EXPORT PATHWAY FROM PRC 12 
 
 
 
  
2 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
 Purpose  
1. The purpose of this document is to:  
 Provide a summary of the biosecurity risks associated with the import of fresh onion 
bulbs for consumption from the People’s Republic of China.  
 Provide the rationale for the proposed phytosanitary measures considered for managing the biosecurity risks .  
 Seek stakeholder feedback on the proposed phytosanitary measures and importing requirements for fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the People’s Republic of China to New Zealand.  
Background  
2. The Government of the People’s Republic of China (hereafter referred to as PRC) 
requested market access for fresh onion bulbs ( Allium cepa ) for human consumption.  
 
3. This pathway has the potential to int roduce regulated pests into New Zealand therefore an 
import risk analysis for Fresh Onion Bulbs for Consumption from China (MAFBNZ, 2009) was conducted. The analysis, along with other available information assisted in determining 
the appropriate phytosanit ary risk management measures proposed in this document.  
COMMODITY DESCRIPTIO N 
4. Fresh onion bulbs ( Allium cepa (Asparagales: Alliaceae)) for human consumption are 
defined as commercially produced cured onion bulbs in their skin, of any size, with minimal root material still attached and the pseudostem removed to within 1 -1.5cm from 
the bulb.  
TRADE  
5. There are curren tly import health standards (IHSs) for fresh onions from Australia, Japan 
and the United States of America (USA).  
 
6. The majority of consignments of fresh onions are imported from the USA between June and December annually. Occasional consignments are import ed from Australia and no 
onions have been imported from Japan since 1999.  
SOURCE INFORMATION  
7. In the development of the risk management proposal for importation of fresh onion bulbs 
from PRC , the following information was used to identify risk organisms and  the 
appropriate measures to manage the risk of their entry and establishment in New Zealand.     
Import risk analysis for Fresh Onion Bulbs for Consumption from China (MAFBNZ, 2009) 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/biosec/consult/draft -ira-onions -from -china.pdf ; 
a) The information on pests and diseases associated with onion bulbs in PRC was 
provided by the General Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine of PRC (AQSIQ, 2008);  
b) Pathway interception records (USA onions) from 1995 to 2008 (MAFBNZ, 2008a);  
c) Technical advice on pests associated with onion bulbs from PRC (MAF 2011b);  
d) Relevant literature and database searches .  
INTERNATIONAL SETTING  
8. Where possible, phytosanitary measures are aligned with international standards, guidelines 
and recommendations as per New Zealand’s obligations under Article 3.1 of the World  
3 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
 Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on the Application of S anitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures (SPS Agreement) (WTO, 1995), and section 23(4)(c) of the Biosecurity Act 1993.   
9. The SPS agreement states that phytosantiary measures must not discriminate unfairly 
between countries or between imported and domestically p roduced goods and where there 
is a choice of phytosanitary measures to reduce risk to an acceptable level, WTO members must select the least trade restrictive measure.   
Objective  
10. The objective of the proposed measures is to effectively manage known phytos anitary risks 
associated with the importation of fresh onion bulbs for human consumption from PRC in a way that is consistent with New Zealand’s domestic legislation and international 
obligations.  
Summary of Risk 
11. In total 242 organisms were found to be potentially associated with onion production in PRC. These include species that use the commodity for some part of their lifecycle, as well as 
species where there is existing evidence to suggest they have an opportunistic association 
with the commodity. Of these associated organisms, 105 were found to be potential hazards.   
 
12. Reviews of the 105 potential hazards from the import risk analysis identified 14 regulated 
organisms that are likely to follow the pathway, are present in PRC, but not present or under 
official control in New Zealand. The regulated organisms have been grouped for this 
discussion of risk management (Table 1) however in the risk analysis, all potential hazards in 
each group were individually assesse d. 
Table 1. Regulated pest groups associated with fresh onion bulbs from PRC  
Regulated pest group  Organisms  
Arthropods  Atherigona orientalis  
Bradysia odoriphaga  
Delia antiqua*   
Delia floralis * 
Pathogens  
- Bacterial pathogens  
 
- Fungal pathogens   
Erwinia chrysanthemi pv. chrysanthemi  
Pantoea ananatis * 
Alternaria palandui  
Cladosporium oxysporum  
Davidiella allii- cepae  
Penicillium oxalicum  
Phytophthora capsici  
Puccinia asparagi*  
Nematodes  Meloidogyne graminicola  
Rotylenchulus reniformis  
* D. antiqua, D. floralis, P. ananatis and P. asparagi are classified as additional declaration pests  
requiring specific pest control activities .  
 
Arthropods  
13. The organisms belonging to this group are phytophagous flies.  These organisms are relatively 
small, and are found as eggs or larvae infesting onion bulbs and plant material. The main  
4 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
 lifestage associated with onion bulbs has some motility; larvae have the capability to move 
between bulbs and soil to pupate.   
 
14. Full a ssessments for all the arthropods in this group have been conducted and can be found in 
the Fresh Onion Bulbs for Consumption from China import risk analysis (MAFBNZ, 2009). The likelihood of entry of these arthropods was considered to be moderate, the lik elihood of 
exposure low, and the likelihood of establishment moderate to high. The economic consequences of establishment of these arthropods in New Zealand range from moderate to 
high, the environmental consequences low to moderate and the significance to  human health 
negligible to moderate .  
 
 Pathogens  
15. The organisms belonging to this group include bacterial and fungal pathogens. These 
pathogens can infect onion bulbs and be systemic, often entering via damage or injury sites. 
Pathogens are usually dispersed by rain or irrigation splash, but sometimes by air, wind and 
insect activity. Onion bulbs are often asymptomatic and the disease is not detectable until 
infection is well established. Infection of onion bulbs can continue after the bulb has been 
discarded, but spread to other plants is limited.   
 
16. Full assessments for all the bacterial and fungal pathogens have been conducted and can be 
found in the import risk analysis for Fresh Onion Bulbs for Consumption from China 
(MAFBNZ, 2009) . The likelihood of entry of bacterial and fungal pathogens  was 
consider ed to be low to moderate, the likelihood of exposure low, and the likelihood of 
establishment very low to moderate. The economic consequences of establishment of these 
pathogens in New Zealand range from low to high, the environmental consequences 
negligib le to high and the significance to human health negligible to low.  
 
Nematodes  
17. The organisms belonging to this group are very small and can be difficult to detect. The main 
lifestages associated with onion roots and surrounding soil are singular eggs, egg masses and 
mobile juveniles.   
 
18. Full assessments for all the organisms in this group have been conducted and can be found in 
import risk analysis for Fresh Onion Bulbs for Consumption from China (MAFBNZ, 2009). 
The likelihood of entry of these organisms wa s considered to be very low to low, the 
likelihood of exposure low, and the likelihood of establishment to be low to moderate. The economic consequences of establishment of these nematodes in New Zealand range from low to moderate, the environmental conseq uences low and the significance to human health 
negligible.  
Risk management  
19. This following assessment of pre - and post -harvest practises reflects the current system for 
risk management employed by PRC’s commercial producers of onions.  It is proposed that  
commercial practises combined with specific pest control activities and phytosanitary inspection are used to manage the risks to New Zealand posed by specific regulated pests 
associated with the importation of onions from PRC (Table 2).  
20. Table 2:  Overview of the pre-  and post -harvest pest control activities  proposed for the export of fresh 
onions from PRC to New Zealand.   
5 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
 Activities  Outcome(s)  
Pre-Harvest   
a) In-field pest control  a) Reduced pre -harvest pest prevalence  
b) Monitoring activities  b) Detection and appropriate management of specific 
pests: D. antiqua, D. floralis , P. ananatis , P. asparagi  
Post -Harvest   
a) Cleaning  a) Physical removal of external arthropod pests  
b) Visual inspection & remedial action  b) Removal of infested/infected onions  
Regulatory/Official   
a) Farm registration  a)   NPPO operational system ensures pre- harvest 
activities are followed and product is traceable  
b) Packhouse/storage facility registration  b) NPPO operational system ensures post -harvest 
activities are followed and product is traceable  
c) Product security (pre-  and post -
phytosanitary inspection)  c) Prevention of pre- and post -phytosanitary inspection 
reinfestation/reinfection of consignments by regulated pests  
d) Phytosanitary inspection & certification  d) Certification by NPPO  that consignments are free 
from regulated pests  
e) MPI inspection on arrival in NZ  e) Verification that requirements of the IHS have been met 
f) Non- compliance contingencies  f) Treat/reship/destroy non- conforming consignment  
g) Pathway monitoring  g) Assurance that IHS requirements are being met.  
PRE- HARVEST ACTIVITIES  
a)  In-field pest control  
21.  All registered farms implement pest management activities outlined in an integrated pest 
management (IPM) and monitoring programme. Each farm uses accredited (trained by 
Entry -Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of China ( CIQ1)) personnel for farm 
management and pesticide applications . All pesticide suppliers are approved by CIQ 
(AQSIQ, 2008); pesticide use is limited to prevent the development of pesticide resistance.   
22.  Application of an efficacious insecticide is applied if necessary, to manage the risk of 
D. antiqua and D. floralis infestation. Application of an efficacious preventative fungicide 
for P. asparagi is utilised . Records of contro l measures are retained.    
23. All diseased and infected plants/plant parts will be removed and destroyed. Farms have 
programmes in place for weed control. This general approach is expected to limit the 
presence of additional declaration and inspection pests.  
                                                
1  CIQ is the designated National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO)  regulatory authority for China under the 
General Administration of Qu ality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) . 
  
6 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
 b)  Monitoring activities  
Delia antiqua and D. floralis   
24. Production sites must be monitored  by a CIQ accredited personnel trained in detection and 
recognition of arthropod pests of concern to New Zealand, specifically for D. antiqua and 
D. floralis.  The inspection frequency should be increased when populations are expected to 
increase because of climatic conditions or a decrease in natural predator populations. When needed, chemical controls must be applied according to the CIQ approved IPM 
programme.     
Pantoea ananatis and Puccinia asparagi  
25.  Production sites must be monitored by a CIQ accredited personnel trained in detection and 
recognition of pathogens of concern to New Zealand, specifically for P. ananatis and P. 
asparagi. Onion bul bs from production sites where disease symptoms of P. asparagi and 
P. ananatis are found are not eligible for export to New Zealand.   
26. Activities involving monitoring crops at production sites for additional declaration pests 
with nil detection through out the export growing season provide CIQ with assurance that the 
aforementioned regulated pests are not present on the individually registered sites. Once verified, CIQ may issue an additional declaration confirming this status during the pre -
export phyto sanitary inspection and certification.    
POST -HARVEST ACTIVITIES  
a)  Cleaning  
27.  Onion bulbs for export to New Zealand must be cleaned, manicured and graded by CIQ 
accredited staff, during processing at a CIQ registered packhouse. Cleaning, manicuring and 
grading includes the removal of soil and foreign material, removal of fibrous roots leaving 
each onion bulb with minimal root material, removal of the pseudostem to within 1 -1.5cm 
from the bulb and the removal of the loose outer skin to ensure no soil remains (AQSIQ, 2008).  
28. Onion bulbs showing signs of damage, pest infestation, symptoms of disease, contamination 
or growth of sprouts or roots, are removed and labelled for disposal during the physical 
cleaning process.  
 
29. Physical cleaning is  expected to reduce the presence of regulated pests . 
 b)   Visual inspection and remedial action  
30.  Visual inspection occurs at several points during the commercial export pathway for onion 
bulbs from PRC. These include:  
 In-field monitoring  during the growing season;  
 Pre-harvest CIQ crop inspection;  
 Cleaning, manicuring and grading;  
 Packaging of onion bulbs for export;  
 CIQ phytosanitary inspection.   
 
31. Specialised staff are trained by CIQ to recognise regulated pests of concern to New Zealand, as sh own in Table 1. Detection of any regulated pest (Table 1) will result in the 
application of an appropriate treatment or exclusion of the onion lot from the New Zealand export pathway.  
  
7 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
 32. During the growing season and at the pre -harvest CIQ crop inspectio n, monitoring is 
conducted for arthropods or for signs and symptoms of disease associated with the above 
ground onion plant parts. Following harvest all onion bulbs are inspected for all lifestages 
of regulated pests. Damaged bulbs may have noticeable seco ndary infection, arthropods or 
nematodes associated with them. Visual inspection is expected to reduce the presence of regulated pests . 
REGULATORY/OFFICIAL ACTIVITIES  
33. The following operational, phytosanitary maintenance and verification system ensures the proposed risk management measures have been met and are maintained.  
a)  Farm registration  
34. CIQ, as the designated National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) reg ulatory authority 
for PRC, registers all commercial farms. Only commercially produced onion bulbs from 
registered farms may be imported into New Zealand. Registration is required to ensure 
approved production procedures are followed and provide product tra ceability along the 
export pathway.   
b)  Packhouse/ storage facility registration  
35. CIQ register all packing and storage facilities processing onion bulbs for export to New 
Zealand. CIQ verify packing and storage facilities are compliant with agreed packhouse 
operations, and sanitation procedures. Packhouse and storage facility registration is 
expected to limit the presence of hitchhiker pests and allow trace- back information in the 
event of non- compliance.  
c) Product security (pre - and post -phytosani tary inspection)  
36.   Product security is achieved through segregation, identification and maintaining the integrity of lots. Onion bulbs for export to New Zealand are to be kept secure and 
segregated at all times from any onion bulbs for the domestic and  other markets to prevent 
substitution, manipulation or re -infestation. Onion bulb lots are sourced from registered 
farms, packhouses and storage facilities; identification code allows product traceability 
through the export pathway.   
 d) Phytosanitary in spection and certification  
37.   All consignments must be sampled and visually inspected for pests and diseases prior to 
issuance of a phytosanitary certificate by CIQ. Where a regulated pest is detected, 
appropriate pest mitigation action will be conducted (e.g. resorting, treatment or rejection). 
When no pests or diseases are found and all requirements of the import health standard 
(IHS) have been met a phytosanitary certificate will be issued.  
   
8 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
  e) MPI inspection on- arrival in New Zealand  
38.   MPI will inspect export documentation on arrival in New Zealand. In addition, MPI may 
inspect a sample from each lot on arrival in New Zealand to verify requirements of the IHS 
have been met.  
 
f) Non- compliance contingencies  
39. If regulated pests, diseases or ex traneous plant material are intercepted  in New Zealand , one 
or more of the following actions will be undertaken: re- sorting of the consignment, 
treatment where an efficacious treatment is available, re -shipment or destruction of the 
consignment and/or the temporary suspension of the pathway on the detection of pests for 
where pre- export phytosanitary measures are required. The suspension will continue until 
the cause of the non -compliance has been identified and corrective actions have been 
implemented and approved by MPI.  
 
g) Pathway monitoring  
40.  MPI will monitor interceptions of regulated pests and hitchhikers and the 
appropriateness/effectiveness of phytosanitary measures on the commencement of trade. 
Currently, organisms have their regulatory status c lassified on the MPI Biosecurity 
Organisms Register for Imported Commodities (BORIC) (
http://www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity/pests -diseases/registers -lists/boric/ ).   
Feasibility & practicality of measures 
41.   PRC exports onions to over 40 countries and therefore has established regulatory systems 
and export phytosanitary systems in place.  
Proposed IHS requirements  
42.   Phytosanitary measures to manage the risk of the regulated pests on the import pathway include the use of pre - and post -harvest pest control activities , operational systems and 
phytosanitary inspection and certification.  
43.   Other risk management measure s will be assessed as equivalent, when supporting evidence 
is provided in accordance with ISPM  24: Guidelines for the determination and recognition 
of equivalence of phytosanitary measures  (IPPC,  2005).  
44.   Based on the evaluation of measures for the man agement of regulated pest 
groups, the following specific conditions for fresh onion bulbs (Commodity 
Sub-Class: Fresh Fruit/Vegetables) from the People’s Republic of China are 
recommended, including additional declarations to be included on the phytosanita ry certificate.  
 
45.   Official assurance programme  (OAP) documents the procedures and activities used by the 
export country NPPO  prior to the export of a commodity.  It does not add additional 
requirements to the IHS and is used as the basis for any audit by MPI.  Onion bulbs may only 
be imported into New Zealand from PRC under the terms of an OAP between New Zealand 
and PRC.  
 
46.   Phytosanitary certificate:  Required and  issued by AQSIQ/CIQ when satisfied that the 
activities required by MPI have been met.  
  
9 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
 47. The proposed  additional declarations to the phytosanitary certificate are:  
 
The onion bulbs in this consignment have:  
 
(i) been inspected according to appropriate official procedures and found free from all 
regulated pests specified by New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ MPI)  
 
   
 
AND  
(ii) undergone appropriate pest control activities that are effective against Delia antiqua, 
Delia floralis , Pantoea ananatis and Puccinia asparagi  in accordance with the Official 
Assurance Programme  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
 
  
 NOTE: “appropriate pest control activities” is a broad term that is inclusive of a range 
of phytosanitary measures. Examples of these measures include sourcing of high 
health material , in-field pest controls  and post -harvest processing . NOTE: This additional declaration is not required if the phytosanitary certificate  
issued by the People’s Republic of China NPPO is in accordance with the ISPM 12 
model phytosanitary certificate.  
  
10 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
 References  
AQSIQ (2008) Technical data on Chinese onions exporting to New Zealand. Reference 
document supplied by the General Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China.   
IPPC (2002) ISPM 14 - The use o f integrated measures in a s ystems approach for pest risk 
management. Accessed online 
https://www.ippc.int/file_uploaded/1323945406_ISPM_14_2002_En_2011- 11-29_Refo r.pdf  
IPPC (2005) ISPM 24 - Guidelines f or the determination and r ecognition of e quivalence of 
phyto sanitary measures. Accessed online 
https://www.ippc.int/fil e_uploaded/1323946244_ISPM_24_2005_En_2011- 11-29_Refor.pdf  
IPPC ( 2011a ) ISPM 7 - Export certification system. Accessed online 
https://www.ippc.int/file_uploaded/1337674518_ISPM_07_2011_En_2012- 05-21.pdf   
IPPC (20 11b) ISPM 12 - Guidelines for phytosanitary certificates. Accessed online 
http://www.ippc.int/file_uploaded/1323945276_ISPM_12_2011_En_2011- 11-29_Refor.pdf  
MAFBNZ (2008a) Interceptions on onions ( Allium cepa ) imports from the United States of 
America, 1995 -2008. MAF database QuanCargo report.  
MAFBNZ (2008b) Policy for MAF’s Res ponses to Risk Organisms – Appendix Five: Decisions 
Framework: Steps and Principles: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/biosec/policy -
laws/response -policy -risk-organisms.pdf   
MAF (2011b) Technical advice on pests associated with onions from China. MAF unpublished 
report.  
MPI (2013) IHS 152- 02: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/ihs/152 -02.pdf   
MAFBNZ (2009) Import Risk Analysis: Onion ( Allium cepa Liliaceae) Fresh  Bulbs from China . 
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.  
Nault, B. A., Straub, R. W. & Taylor, A. G. (2006) Performance of novel insecticide seed 
treatments for managing onion maggot ( Diptera: Anthomyiidae) in onion fields. Crop 
Protection , 25(1): 58 -65. 
Opara L. U. (2003) Chapter XXVI Onions: Post -Harvest Operation, Mejia D, Parrucci E, (eds) 
Compendium on Post –  Harvest Operations, FAO Information Network on Post -harvest 
Operations. A vailable online at http://www.fao.org/inpho/     
Taylor, A. G., Hoepting, C. A., Nault, B. A., Lorbeer, J. W. & McDonald, M. R. Leskovar, D. I. 
(2008). Onion seed treatment and coating technologies. Acta Horticulturae , 782:129- 134.  
WTO  (1995)  World Trade Organisation -  Agreement  on the application of S anitary and 
Phytosanitary  Measures . Accessed online 
http://www.worldtradelaw.net/uragreements/spsagreement.pdf  
Yokoyama, V. Y. & Miller, G. T. (2000) Response of Omnivorous Leafroller (Lepidoptera: 
Tortricidae) and Onion Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to low -temperature storage. Journal of 
Economic Entomology , 93(3): 1031 -1034.  
 
  
11 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
   
      APPENDIX 1: REGULATED PESTS  
The list below has been generated from the different information sources described in the paragraph Information considered.  
Exclusions from the list include:  
1. All non -regulated or ganisms present in New Zealand.  
2. Organisms identified to genus level only, as a genus may contain species that are not a risk on the commodity.  
3. Organisms where insufficient evidence exists that they are present in the People’s Republic of China.  
4. Organisms t hat are associated with onion plants but not associated with the onion bulb fresh produce pathway.  
5. Organisms that are associated with onion bulbs but that cannot establish in New Zealand via the onion bulb fresh produce path way.  
6. Organisms not added to t he regulated pest  list but still remain ‘regulated pests’ that warrant action upon interception.  
 
Regulated pest  Common name  Measures  
Additional declaration pests  
Pantoea ananatis  fruitlet rot of pineapple  Commercial production practices  
 
Pre- and post-harvest pest control activities : 
- in-field pest control 
- monitoring activities (low pest prevalence)  
- physical cleaning  
- visual inspection and remedial action*  
 
Operational and phytosanitary maintenance and verification  
- production site, packhouse and storage facility registration  
- product security  
- phytosanitary inspection and certification  
- auditing  
 Puccinia asparagi   asparagus rust  
Delia antiqua  onion fly  
Delia floralis  turnip maggot  
Inspection pests   
Erwinia chrysanthemi pv. chrysanthemi  lettuce marginal leaf blight  
Alternaria palandui  leaf spot  
Cladosporium oxysporum  seedling blight of passion fruit   
Davidiella allii -cepae  black mould  
Penicillium oxalicum  blue mould  
Phytopthora capsici  soft rot  
Atherigona orientalis  pepper fruit fly  
Bradysia odoriphaga  Chinese chive maggot  
Meloidogyne graminicola  rice root -knot nematode  
Rotylenchulus reniformis  reniform nematode  
Note: The pest control activities  target ing additional declaration pests  are considered to also manage the risk posed by inspection pests  on the pathway.  
*: Remedial action (depending on the location of the inspection) may include: treatment of the consignment to ensure that the pest is no longer viable or 
withdrawing the consignment from export to New Zealand.  
  
12 • Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC  Ministry for Primary Industries  
   
   
   APPENDIX 2: SUMMARY OF THE ONION EXPORT PATHWAY FROM PRC  
PRC’s regulatory framework for onion exports  
In the PRC, the onion pathway from production to export is overseen by the Entry -Exit Insp ection and 
Quarantine Bureau of PRC (CIQ). CIQ are the government regulatory organisation enacted by the 
General Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine of PRC (AQSIQ), the 
National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) (AQSIQ, 2008).  
Proposed export pathway description 
AQSIQ (2008) provided MPI with information on the standard commercial practices used in 
production of onion bulbs. This information includes pre -harvest, harvest and post -harvest practices in 
PRC that are considered to be standard for export of onion bulbs from PRC.  
 
Figure 1. Proposed export pathway diagram  
 
 
 
a) Healthy planting material is selected for production and seeds are treated with an insecticide and/ or disinfestation agents.   
b) Onion bulbs are commercially grown on CIQ export registered farm production sites. In field monitoring and pest control activities are carried out for arthropods and pathogens  
c) Onion bulbs are mechanically or manually harvested and initially manually sorted.  
 
13 •Risk Management Proposal: Fresh onion bulbs for consumption from the PRC          Ministry for Primary Industries  d) Harveste d onion bulbs are either windrowed in open sites, stacked into trays at the production 
site to cure or transported off -site for artificial curing, where bulbs are cured at 30°C, with 60 -
75% relative humidity.  
e)  Onion bulbs are received at a CIQ export registered packhouse. Lots are identified by farm and 
production unit code and date of harvest for traceability.   
f) Onion bulbs are cleaned, manicured and graded. Onion bulbs are manicured by cutting the pseudostem, removal of fibrous roots to ensure no so il remains and outer loose skins of the 
bulb are removed. Onion bulbs with signs or symptoms of pest infestation or infection, abnormality, double cores or mechanical injury are removed and labelled for disposal. Onion 
bulbs are graded according to size an d packed into clean inert packaging material.  
g) Onion bulbs are transported and received at a CIQ export registered storage facility. Packed onions for export are entered into a constant -temperature cool room , are pre- cooled and stored 
at a temperature near 0 -1°C. Onion consignments are kept separate from those not destined for 
export to New Zealand.   
h) CIQ performs the phytosanitary inspection of the onion bulbs. If no regulated pests and disease symptoms are found, CIQ issues the phytosanitary certificate. Where a regulated pest is 
detected, appropriate pest mitigation action will be conducted (e.g. resorting, treatment or rejection).  
i) Export documents including the phytosanitary certificate and any treatment certificate accompany each onion consignmen t that is freighted to New Zealand.  
j) Onion consignment samples and relevant export documents are examined in New Zealand by MPI inspectors to ensure compliance with New Zealand’s phytosanitary import requirements.  
k) Any consignment not complying with N ew Zealand’s phytosanitary imported requirements is 
treated, reshipped or destroyed, and/or the temporary suspension of the pathway on the 
detection of risk organisms for pre -export phytosanitary measures are required. The exporting 
country is notified of the non- compliance.  
l) Onion bulbs receiving biosecurity clearance are able to be distributed by the importer.