MAA 2024-29: All Markets: Avian Influenza market access issues update #12 – High Pathogenicity Avian Influneza – certification updates for Taiwan

Date of issue: 16 August 2024

Date of effect: 19 August 2024

Related MAAs: 2024-08, 2024-10, 2024-12, 2024-13, 2024-15, 2024-16, 2024-18, 2024-20, 2024-22, 2024-25, 2024-26

Attention

• Egg Export Establishments
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Central and Regional offices

Purpose

This Market Access Advice (MAA) updates MAA2024-26 issued on 25 July 2024 which provided information on certification changes as a result of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This MAA also provides an update to import conditions for the export of inedible poultry and poultry products to Taiwan.

Latest update

Taiwan

Taiwan has confirmed that they will accept poultry and poultry products from outside affected states/territories (currently Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory). This applies to the following certification:

To align with Taiwan’s importing country requirements, and to allow export from unaffected states/territories, Taiwan has agreed to amended endorsements on certificates M074A/3777, M074B/7310 and M074B/7312. These will be updated to include the following statement:

Any poultry ingredients in this product have been sourced from zones considered free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease (ND) by Taiwan.

The zones considered free from HPAI by Taiwan are available at www.aphia.gov.tw/en/ws.php?id=21841, with New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory recently having their HPAI free status deleted, in addition to Victoria’s status being removed some time ago.

Currently, Taiwan does not consider Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to be free from HPAI. Poultry and poultry products (including eggs) sourced from those states/territories do not meet importing country requirements and therefore should not be exported.

Important note: for mixed species consignments, Taiwan has advised that each animal species in the product must be included in the product description of the health certificate.

These certificates will be available via the department’s EXDOC and NEXDOC system, or via ASE from 19 August 2024.

Certificate changes

Further to previous MAAs, some importing country requirements have changed in relation to HPAI. Please refer to bolded entries in Attachment 1 for certification that is now available via the department’s Export Documentation (EXDOC) system and NEXDOC, or via ASE.

For exporters that apply for a health certificate for these products through EXDOC or NEXDOC, the request for permit (RFP) must include the following exporter declaration:

The products in this consignment comply with sourcing provisions that meet the specific importing country requirements for avian influenza. This declaration is supported by records.

For electronic certificates, this declaration will need to be made via EXDOC and NEXDOC. For applications for manual certificates or veterinary declarations, the above declaration will need to be provided in writing on exporter/manufacturer letterhead to ASE when submitting the application.

Applications will be assessed based on all information and declarations provided. The department may need to seek further confirmation relating to this declaration before a certificate can be issued.

Important note prior to export: There are currently multiple control areas throughout Victoria, NSW and the ACT. More control areas may be established if there are further HPAI detections. It is the exporter’s responsibility to monitor and confirm control and restricted areas prior to export to ensure product meets importing country requirements. Information on current control areas can be found on the relevant state/territory government websites at the links provided in this MAA.

Disease situation

Australia is continuing to respond to outbreaks of HPAI (H7 strain), which was first detected on a property in Victoria on 22 May 2024. As of 15 August 2024, HPAI (H7 strain) has now been detected on poultry properties in Victoria; New South Wales; and the Australian Capital Territory. Further information, including current control areas, can be found on the following websites:

• For information relating to VIC: Victorian Government Agriculture Department website
• For information relating to NSW: NSW Government Department of Primary Industries website
• For information relating to the ACT: Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate website
• For information additional information: Australian National Pest and Disease Outbreaks website

The department is continuing to work closely with industry to prioritise negotiations with key poultry and poultry product markets to minimise further trade disruptions. The department continues to engage key markets through its agricultural counsellor network to expedite these discussions. Updates will be provided in future MAAs.

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.

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