Date of issue: 23 December 2022
Date of effect: 1 January 2023
Reference Number: MAA2022-39
Attention
- Industries—Industry bodies – Dairy Australia – Infant Nutrition Council, Dairy Export Industry Consultative Committee, Australian Food and Grocery Council
- Dairy Export establishments
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Central and Regional offices
Purpose
This Market Access Advice (MAA) is to notify industry of new certification requirements that will impact exports of milk and milk products to India from 1 January 2023. Shipments of milk and milk products imported into to India from 1 January 2023 (based on date of arrival in India) are required to be accompanied by a letter of conformity issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department).
Summary of key points
- On 18 August 2022, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) informed the department, through the World Trade Organisation (WTO), of new health certificate requirements impacting the export of milk and milk products into India.
- These new requirements propose changes to existing certification for milk and milk products exported from Australia to India and will be implemented on 1 January 2023.
- As these requirements are in addition to existing bilaterally agreed certification the department has previously negotiated with India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), the department is urgently progressing negotiations with FSSAI relating to the new requirements to reduce duplication of existing certification.
- Until certificate arrangements can be finalised, export registered establishments sending shipments of milk and milk products for import into India from 1 January 2023 must request a letter of conformity from the department.
- Export registered processing establishments requiring a letter of conformity should contact DairyEggsFish@aff.gov.au.
- Exporters who are not the manufacturers of milk and milk products for export to India need to contact the manufacturer for a copy of this letter to include with their export documentation.
- Exporters are advised of the increased commercial risk when exporting milk and milk products to India where product will arrive on or after 1 January 2023.
- A letter of conformity does not guarantee entry of shipments into India. The department may not be able to facilitate release of detained consignments impacted by these changes.
- Further advice will be provided to industry once details of the new certification arrangements with India have been finalised.
Further information
Contact exportstandards@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.
The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.