440 joukxal of the l)epartmein"t of agriculture. ]s'0v., 1922. 



Fruit Export Regulatio-n's. 



The regulations under the Act are framed after consul tation with 

 the various interests concerned, and with a view to ineeting- the 

 requirements of the overseas fresh fruit trade. They are subject to 

 amendment from time to time. Those at present in force are Govern- 

 ment Notices Nos. 260 of the 6th February, 1920, and 530 of the 

 29th March, 1922. It is important that every fruit exporter should 

 be thoroughly acquainted with them, for they contain full particulars 

 regarding the grades of fruit and the measurements of tlieir recep- 

 tacles. 



The above-mentioned regulations show the manner in which in- 

 tending exporters (who must make their own arrangements for the 

 disposal of their fruit oversea) must advise the inspector and become 

 registered, and how their fruit must be consigned. The inspection 

 fee is Is. 4d. per 40 cubic feet on all boxes going 25 or less to the ton, 

 and 2s. on all boxes going over 25 to the ton."^ Pears, peaches, nectar- 

 ines, apricots, plums, grapes, apples, pineapples, citrus fruit, and 

 mangoes must be packed in new and clean boxes, and the regulations 

 give the measurements thereof. As prescribed in the legulations, every 

 box must be clearly marked on the one end thereof with the registered 

 mark of the exporter, or other means of identification, and other par- 

 ticulars regarding its contents; the other end must also be marked wi|ji 

 the shipping mark of the agent, etc. 



The fruit must be wrapped in tissue or other suitable paper, and 

 (excepting apples and citrus fruit) may be placed in wood-wool c: 

 cork-dust; this, however, does not apply to Almeria grapes. All fruit 

 must be in a sound condition, fully developed, not too unripe, free 

 from disease, bruises, cuts, or other blemishes affecting its appearance, 

 and be of the characteristic shape of its variety and of uniform size 

 in each box. 



The regulations state how fruit (other than citrus or pines) not to 

 be shipped in ventilated hold has to be cold-stored for forty-eight 

 hours prior to shipment, and the steps to be taken where private cold 

 stores are used for the purpose : the time spent in refrigerated car 

 may be included in the forty-eight hours. Citrus and pines must be 

 delivered for inspection not less than twenty-eight hours prior to ship- 

 ment. The exporter must pay the charge for cold storage. 



Special attention is directed to section 12 of the regulations, 

 and to Government Notice No. 530, 1922, which amends this section 

 in so far as oranges are concerned. They give the grades of each 

 fruit and its varieties, and advise which varieties are considered suit- 

 able or unsuitable for export. 



The regulations give the names of the members of the boards of 

 reference at various ports, whose services are available, at a fee of 

 10s. per consignment, to adjudicate on the decision of an inspector in 

 regard to fruit rejected if so required by the consigiioi-. Seven days 

 are allowed for the removal of fruit finally rejected. 



Boxes of fruit may be' degraded and re-marked accordingly by 

 an inspector if otherwise complying with the regulatiuiis. 



Not less than 5 per cent, of the boxes of fruit in any consignment 

 will be opened by the inspector for examination, wlio will stamp such 

 boxes to that effect. 



* A special fee of 5s. per 40 cubic feet is now also levied, tiee further on. 



