Plant Export Operations Branch
Plant Export Operations Manual
Volume 8: Commodity Inspections – Grain,
seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Contents
Introduction ...............................................................................................................................2
Legislation .................................................................................................................................2
Conduct Pre-Inspection Tasks ...................................................................................................3
Empty Container, Bulk Vessel or Packaging approval .............................................................3
Conduct Flowpath Inspection Tasks .........................................................................................4
Conduct Goods Inspection Tasks ..............................................................................................5
Pests and Contaminants .............................................................................................................5
Rejection Procedure ..................................................................................................................6
Inspection of Resubmitted Goods after Treatment ...................................................................8
Related eLearning Module ......................................................................................................10
Questions .................................................................................................................................10
Appendix 1 ..............................................................................................................................11
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
Plant Export Operations Branch
Page Number
Page 1 of 12
Introduction
This volume outlines the principles relating to sampling, inspection and export certification of
prescribed plants and plant products including grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed in packages and
bulk into containers or vessels, and bulk raw sugar.
Under the Export Control Act 1982, there are ‘prescribed’ and ‘non-prescribed’ goods.
Depending on what is to be exported, the requirements that must be complied with may vary.
Grains, as listed in Section 6 of the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Order 2011,
are always prescribed goods and will therefore be inspected and sampled irrespective of
whether the importing country requires a Phytosanitary certificate. If a Phytosanitary certificate
or any other certificate is required by the importing country the goods must be treated as
‘prescribed goods’.
The sampling and inspection of prescribed goods must be carried out at a registered export
establishment by an authorised officer (AO). Individuals undertaking these activities must be
suitably qualified and have relevant authorisation and delegations necessary to inspect
prescribed goods presented for export.
Reference and Instructional Material
 Work Instructions: The AOs can use the work instructions as a quick guide to complete
a specific job function. These can be accessed via the downloadable resources link.
 Plant Exports Operation Manual:
o Volume 2: Export legislation
o Volume 5: Product Identification
o Volume 6 Part A: Pests, Diseases and Contaminants of Grain and Plant Products
(excluding horticulture)
o Volume 10: Bulk Vessel Inspection
o Volume 11: Empty Container Inspections
o Volume 16: Work Health and Safety (WH&S)
Legislation
Consideration must be given to the following legislation before goods are exported and AOs
must ensure that the legislation is abided by throughout the exporting process:
 Export Control Act 1982
 Export Control (Prescribed Goods – General) Order 2005
 Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Order 2011
 Export Control (Fees) Order 2001
The legislation listed above are all accessible via the ComLaw website at:
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
Plant Export Operations Branch
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Page 2 of 12
Conduct Pre-Inspection Tasks
Recording Inspection Results
Inspection details are recorded on the Export Compliance Record (ECR). The AOs must use
one ECR for each inspection conducted. It is mandatory for AOs to use the approved forms.
AOs may need to attach additional pages to the ECR.
Inspection Equipment Checklist
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Waste bin and lid supplied by establishment for disposing of unwanted material found
during inspection.
Torch capable of being focused to a spot.
Sieves (large and pocket) for separating insects and contaminants from the samples.
Measure 0.5L and 2.25L for samples
Knife and scraper suitable for cutting and removing residue from places difficult to
access
A pair of tweezers suitable for collecting larger species
Hand lens x10 magnification or more for pest, weed seeds and contamination
identification.
Small painters brush for separating objects of quarantine concern and collecting small
insects from the grain samples being inspected.
Vials/tubes filled with methylated spirits or 80% ethyl alcohol (ethanol) for collecting
arthropod specimens.
Sealable plastic bags for larger specimens collection during inspection
Labels for specimens
Export Compliance Records (http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/export/plants-plantproducts/plantexportsmanual/resources)
Pencils for labelling tubes (pens aren't suitable as alcohol dissolves most ink) and pen
for completing various forms.
Trier for inspection of bagged product.
Personal protective equipment such as hand gloves, apron, face mask, goggles, etc.
Calculator or mobile phone with a scientific calculator
Empty Container, Bulk Vessel or Packaging approval
Inspection of empty containers, bulk vessels and packaging ensures requirements have been
complied with in the transportation of prescribed goods and no cross contamination issues exist
with loading prescribed goods into inspected empty containers or bulk vessels. An AO must
ensure that a valid Container Approval or Bulk Vessel Approval Record has been issued.
Packaging material inspections
Materials to be used as packaging for prescribed goods and other materials applied to
prescribed goods at the time of packaging must be:
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
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Page Number
Page 3 of 12
 New or if previously used and intended for repeated use, must have been cleaned and
reconditioned to the satisfaction of an authorised officer i.e. unlikely to impart odour,
infest or contaminate goods and be free of holes/rips/tears
 Used in a manner that is unlikely to place the acceptability of the prescribed goods at
risk
 Sufficiently strong to withstand the handling incurred by the materials during transit
 Otherwise appropriate to the goods
 Free from any contaminants that could cross-contaminate the goods
Conduct Flowpath Inspection Tasks
Inspection Area
The AO must ensure the area to be used for the phytosanitary inspection is clean, well lit, free
from dust and sources of cross-infestation, cross-infection cross-contamination, and clear of
fumigant gases.
The inspection equipment must be clean, adequate and fit for purpose.
The AO must ensure there is adequate access to all goods to allow sampling in a safe manner
from the entire lot/consignment.
Commodity Flowpath
The commodity flowpath is deemed to be from the point of sampling to the point of loading.
The flowpath must be inspected prior to loading to ensure it is fit-for-purpose and free of
sources of cross contamination such as infested material and material capable of infecting the
commodity. In circumstances where the flowpath fails inspection, the AO must be advised
when the issue has been rectified and the flowpath is ready for reinspection.
Assess the consignment
The content of the entire lot/consignment to be inspected should match the details on the notice
of intention (NOI) to export (EX28 or RFP). It may be necessary to count packages if exact
quantity is not known.
The AO should only request a break-down into the pallet if in doubt or access to particular
samples is needed.
Do not proceed with the inspection if the lot/consignment presented does not match the NOI.
Trade Description
When a trade description is applied to prescribed goods, the export of those goods is prohibited
unless that trade description is adequate and accurate.
A trade description applied to goods is taken to be adequate if it:
 contains sufficient information to enable the goods to be readily identified
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
Plant Export Operations Branch
Page Number
Page 4 of 12
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is not ambiguous or unclear
satisfies any particular requirements under the Orders relating to the application of trade
descriptions
satisfies any requirements of the importing country.
AOs should note that the blending of different grades of grain, to arrive at a required grade, is
normal practice and acceptable.
Where an AO is concerned that a false trade description has been applied to prescribed goods,
the AO needs to contact the Regional Plant Export Manager. In the interim, AOs must withhold
export documentation and require exporters to produce documentary evidence to support the
description given. These may include declarations by the exporters/processors of the goods or
certificates of analysis from accredited laboratories for various parameters required by the
importing countries.
Conduct Goods Inspection Tasks
Inspection of prescribed goods must be carried out in accordance with the relevant work
instruction.
Pests and Contaminants
Volume 6A provides more information on the range of pests, including the definition of live
pests and insects, vermin and contaminants that an AO may encounter when sampling and
inspecting prescribed goods.
Tolerances
Tolerance levels imposed by the importing country takes precedence over any tolerances
listed in this manual.
There is a nil tolerance for live pest infestations, vermin (including rodents) and their waste for
prescribed goods unless a tolerance is specified in Table 1.
Table 1: General tolerances for prescribed plants and plant products
Contaminant
Datura spp. - seeds (thornapples)
Claviceps purpurea - ergots
(i) of ryegrass
(ii) of the cereal or seed
Tolerance level
Not more than 10 seeds per
2.25 L in sorghum
0.05 % or not more than 50
pieces per 5 L of grain
0.05% or not more than 3
pieces per 2.25 L in prescribed
grain
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
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Plant Export Operations Branch
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Contaminant
Carcases
Rodent and vermin droppings
Non-injurious pests (Refer to Volume 6A Table 2)
Soil and sand
Weed seeds of quarantine concern of the importing country,
as advised on MICoR
Weed seeds where importing country requires freedom from
‘weed seeds’ on their import permit without specifying
species
# Refer to rejection procedure
Tolerance level
(i)
Nil for goods for
consumption (reject
source) #
(ii)
Nil for goods not for
consumption (50 tonne
rejection) #
(i)
In any single sample
(2.25 L or equivalent)
not more than seven
droppings
(ii)
In any two consecutive
samples (each sample
2.25 L or equivalent)
not more than four
droppings in total
(iii)
Nil in mungbeans
(i)
In any single sample
(2.25 L or equivalent)
not more than two live
field species
(ii)
In any three
consecutive samples
(each sample 2.25 L or
equivalent) not more
than two field species
in total
0.2% by weight
Nil
0.5% by weight
Rejection Procedure
If any pests or contaminants are found in excess of tolerances (including nil) the goods must be
rejected. This may be in the form of rejecting the source or applying a 50 tonne rejection (refer
below).
Upon rejection an AO must notify a responsible person on an ECR that treatment of the
rejected lot is required, and that person must give details of treatment carried out before the lot
is re-presented for inspection.
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
Plant Export Operations Branch
Page Number
Page 6 of 12
Detection of pests/contaminants requiring rejection of the source
Detection of live injurious pests and live insect pests of quarantine concern to the importing
country requires rejection of the source. For vertical storages e.g. silos and cells, the whole
storage is to be rejected. For horizontal storages e.g. bunkers and sheds, 5,000 tonnes of the
goods from the point of detection is to be rejected (Refer to Appendix 1 for a suggested method
on how to calculate tonnage to be rejected). Loading may recommence from the remaining
goods in the storage. Rejected goods must be treated prior to re-presenting for inspection.
Cumulative rejection limit - 20 per cent rule
To ensure the level of live injurious pest infestation in export shipments is kept to a
minimum, the amount of goods that have been loaded from sources subsequently
rejected for live injurious pest detections is not to exceed 20% of the total ships load.
This only applies to consignments greater than 10,000 tonne of one particular
commodity being loaded onto a vessel. There is no cumulative rejection limit on
tonnages of less than 10,000 tonnes.
When rejection occurs, AOs are to add up the total tonnage of goods from each
cell/storage that was loaded onto the vessel prior to rejection. Where such a vertical cell
or horizontal storage has a capacity greater than 2000 tonnes then a maximum of 2000
tonnes from that cell or horizontal storage will be added towards the cumulative figure
for the calculation of the 20% limit. When loading from two or more sources
simultaneously the maximum amount to be allocated towards the cumulative figure is
2000 tonnes.
If the same ship is loading at another Australian port, the cumulative total is to be
transferred and continued during the subsequent loading. If the cumulative total exceeds
20% of the ship load then loading is to cease and authorised officers are advised to
discuss the situation with the Regional Plant Export Program Manager and exporter
with the object of ensuring that grain subsequently loaded is free of live injurious insect
infestation.
Detection of pests/contaminants not requiring rejection of the source
50 tonne rejections are applicable after detections of non-injurious pests (not a quarantine
insect pest of the importing country or a stored product pest) or weed seeds or other
contaminants (refer to PEOM Volume 6 Part A) at levels above specified tolerances, including
nil, during the inspection of prescribed goods. This option may only be applied if loading
ceases without undue delay upon detection.
If more than 50 tonne of goods is loaded between the detection of non-injurious insect pests or
weed seeds or other contaminants and the loading ceasing, the AOs must verify that potentially
infested goods beyond the inspection point are redirected and rejected. AOs must record
rejection on the export compliance record. The rejected 50 tonne of goods must be segregated
from goods destined for export, and loading from the same source may recommence after the
50 tonne rejection has occurred.
A maximum of two 50 tonne rejections per 1,000 tonne inspected from a singular source is
permitted, allowing a maximum of 10% of each 1,000 tonne inspected to be rejected under this
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
Plant Export Operations Branch
Page Number
Page 7 of 12
procedure. However, a third detection of the same pest species or weed seed or other
contaminant from the same source within 1,000 tonne inspected indicates the
infestation/contamination is consistent throughout the source and the source is to be rejected (as
above). The 50 tonne rejection count reverts back to zero after each 1,000 tonne inspected.
Each 50 tonne rejection is a formal rejection for export. If the client wishes to re-present the
goods for export, the goods must have been treated in-line with the relevant work instruction.
Inspection of Resubmitted Goods after Treatment
The exporters must present treatment declaration or fumigation and gas free certificates for
fumigated goods to the AOs when resubmitting goods for reinspection. Goods must not be
resubmitted for reinspection until after the exposure and airing periods specified on the
registered label or treatment certificate has been achieved.
Treatment of rejected goods
If goods are rejected for reasons that will respond to treatment and there is an approved method
of treating the goods, the goods must not be re-presented for inspection unless they have been
treated in an approved manner. If there is no approved method of treating the goods, the goods
must not be re-presented for inspection unless they have been treated. The choice of treatment
is the responsibility of the owner of the goods and not the AO.
Resubmitted goods must be inspected in the normal manner and rejected if any live pests and
contaminants above the tolerance levels are detected.
Live Insect Infestations
Live insect infestations must be treated. If a client wants to resubmit the rejected goods for
export then the exporter or their agent must provide a treatment declaration or fumigation
certificate before the reinspection can commence. The AO must verify that the goods were
treated to control all insect life stages but is not responsible for the choice of this treatment.
An insecticide or fumigant must not be used unless it is registered for that particular use under
a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory or registration under such a law is not
required.
Insecticides
If an insecticide is used, it must be:
 used in accordance with its registered label
 acceptable to the importing country
 approved by the exporter.
Rejected goods treated with an insecticide must not be resubmitted for inspection until after the
exposure, airing periods and safety precautions specified on the registered label have been
observed.
Fumigants
If a fumigant is used, it must be:
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
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used in accordance with its registered label
acceptable to the importing country
approved by the exporter.
If a fumigant is applied, then the person responsible for the goods must also provide a gas free
certificate, issued by a suitably accredited/licensed fumigator, before the reinspection can
commence to ensure that it is safe for the AO to conduct the inspection.
Rejected goods treated with fumigants must not be resubmitted for inspection until after
exposure, airing periods and safety precautions specified on the registered label have been
observed.
Contaminants
The tolerance levels for contaminants may vary from contaminant to contaminant. For
example, some contaminants have a nil tolerance and others may have some level of tolerance.
The following principles should be used for contaminants found in grain samples during
inspection:
1. For contaminants for which a nil tolerance applies, cleaning of the relevant goods must
be carried out to remove the contaminating material if the goods are to be resubmitted
for export.
2. For contaminants for which a numerical tolerance applies, cleaning or blending to
below the permitted tolerance may be carried out.
3. If contamination has occurred on the outside of packages, such contamination may be
removed by brushing or other mechanical means.
Screening of goods
Screening of goods rejected for live insect infestation is not permitted. Goods can be screened
to remove contaminants.
Blending of goods
Blending of goods rejected for live insect infestations is not permitted. If blending is being
carried out during the reweighing or loading of a ship and blended goods are rejected, all cells
or other sources feeding the blend must be included in the rejection.
Export compliance period
Prescribed goods that are inspected and passed as export compliant remain compliant for 28
days. In exceptional circumstances, the period of export compliance can be extended beyond
the 28 days.
To extend the period of compliance the exporter will need to provide details supporting the
request to the Department of Agriculture, Grain and Seed Exports Program before the end of
the initial 28 day period. The exporter must supply details of the exceptional circumstances for
which an extension is required, a justifiable period of extension, and information that gives
assurance that the condition of the goods has not changed since inspection and that there has
been no compromise of the phytosanitary status of the goods, including the security. Once a
decision is made the Grain and Seed Exports Program will inform the exporter of the decision
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
Plant Export Operations Branch
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and the National or Regional Documentation Hub Manager or Supervisor will be informed to
make a record of the additional approved period.
Reinspection of consignments where export of consignment is delayed
Reinspection of prescribed goods is necessary if:
1. The time between inspection and export exceeds the period during which the prescribed
goods are passed as export compliant;
2. The maximum time between inspection and export permitted by the importing country
is exceeded.
When an importing country’s requirement is different from 28 days, or any time extension that
could be approved the importing country’s requirement takes precedence. Exporters must
request reinspection if any of the above conditions have occurred.
Related eLearning Module
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Defensible Decision Making
Export Auditing: Grain
Export Communications: Governance
Export Communications: Techniques
Export Documentation – Electronic
Export Documentation – Manual
Export Inspections: Commodity Inspection – Grain (Part A)
Export Inspections: Export Registered Establishments
Export Inspections: Importing Country Requirements
Export Inspections: Product Identification, Pest & Diseases
Export Inspections: Ship Inspection
Export Inspections: Treatments
Export Inspections: Using MICoR
Export WH&S
Introduction to Empty Container Inspections
Plant Export Legislation
Questions
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You can contact your Regional Plant Export Program Manager to clarify any aspects of
this volume in the first instance.
You can also direct a specific question or provide feedback to
plantexporttraining@agriculture.gov.au
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
Plant Export Operations Branch
Page Number
Page 10 of 12
Appendix 1
How to calculate the volume of 5000 tonnes of grain in horizontal storage
Bulk density of various grains
The bulk density and angle of repose of grain varies with type, variety, moisture content,
quality and contamination. Typical volumes for common grain and seeds are presented in Table
1.
Table 1: Typical bulk density and volume of 5000 tonnes of common grain and seeds
Grain/Seeds
Barley
Canola
Cottonseed
Lupins
Sorghum
Chickpea
Cowpea
Maize
Oats
Wheat
Density, t/m3
0.62
0.69
0.4
0.77
0.73
0.74
0.75
0.72
0.48
0.77
Volume of 5000t, m3
(∆V)
8050
7250
12500
6500
6850
6750
6650
6950
10400
6500
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
Plant Export Operations Branch
Page Number
Page 11 of 12
How to calculate the volume of 5000 tonnes grain
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of a bunker used for storing grain.
An AO may use the following formula to calculate the length (∆L) of grain from the bunker to
reject.
∆L = ∆V/[(B x W) + (0.5 x H x W)]
Where:
∆L = Length of bunker to be rejected, meter
∆V = Volume of 5000 tonnes of grain stored in a bunker, m3 (obtained from Table 1)
W = Width of the bunker, meter
B = Bank height, meter
H = Height of the triangular component of the bunker , meter
L = length of the bunker, meter
V1 = volume of horizontal component of the bunker, m3
V2 = volume of the triangular component of the bunker, m3
For example
When inspecting wheat with W=40 m, B=1.5 m and H= 4 m, ∆V is 6500 (table 1). Length of
grain to be rejected can be estimated using the above equation as follows:
∆L = 6500/[(1.5 x 40) + (0.5 x 4 x 40)]
= 46.43
Which means 46.4 m length should be rejected before recommencing loading of the grain.
Title: Volume 8: Commodity Inspections - Grain, seeds, nuts and stockfeed
Date Published
29 September 2014
Current Version Number
FINAL v3.2
Program
Plant Export Operations Branch
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