Date of issue: 30 August 2024
Date of effect: Immediate
Related MAAs: 2024-08, 2024-10, 2024-12, 2024-13, 2024-15, 2024-16, 2024-18, 2024-20, 2024-22, 2024-25, 2024-26, MAA 2024-29, MAA 2024-30
Attention
- Egg Exporters - Australian
- Egg Export establishments
- Licensed exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Central and Regional offices
Purpose
This Market Access Advice (MAA) updates MAA 2024-29 issued on 19 August 2024 which provided information on certification changes as a result of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This MAA also provides an update to import conditions for the export of poultry meat, meat products, offal and eggs to Vanuatu.
Latest update
Vanuatu
Vanuatu has confirmed with the department that poultry meat, poultry meat products, offal and eggs sourced from outside of Control Areas are eligible for export to Vanuatu. Vanuatu have agreed to accept the updated export certificates from 6 September 2024. Please refer to the relevant jurisdiction websites below for information regarding control areas.
Certificate changes
To align with Vanuatu’s importing country requirements, and to allow export from outside Control Areas, Vanuatu has agreed to amended endorsements on certificates EX174/4772 and EX46EG/5186. These will be updated to include the following statement:
The entire consignment was sourced from birds which were not kept in a zone that is under restrictions for high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) or Newcastle disease either since hatched or for at least the past 21 days.
For exporters that apply for a health certificate for these products (and others noted in Attachment 1) through the department’s Export Documentation (EXDOC) system or Next Export Documentation (NEXDOC) system, the request for permit (RFP) or request for export (REX) 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.
Please note that these certificates will be available in EXDOC and NEXDOC from 2 September 2024 and will be accepted by Vanuatu port of entry from 6 September 2024. 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 18 July 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: Avian Influenza - Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate - Environment (act.gov.au) 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.
The information provided above 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.
Download
Attachment 1 – Countries and products affected by occurrence of high pathogenicity avian influenza in Victoria, New South Wales, and ACT (PDF 392 KB)
Attachment 1 – Countries and products affected by occurrence of high pathogenicity avian influenza in Victoria, New South Wales, and ACT (DOCX 267 KB)
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