Date of issue: 25 June 2021
Date of effect: Immediate
Reference Number: MAA2021-12
Relates to: MAA 2021-12 (Dairy), MAA 2021-10 (Fish), MAA 2021-04 (NPG)
Attention:
- Industries—Industry bodies – Dairy Australia, Dairy Export Industry Consultative Committee, Infant Nutrition Council, Seafood
- Export Consultative Committee, Australian Food and Grocery Council, Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
- Export dairy and seafood establishments
- Licensed exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment —Central and Regional offices
Purpose
To advise of changes to export certification requirements for dairy products, fishery products, honey and edible non-prescribed goods exported to Great Britain. The revised certificates will be available for use by 30 June 2021. Current health certificates will be valid if issued up to and including 30 June 2021.
Summary of key points
Revised templates for export health certificates will refer to Great Britain, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man rather than the European Union. The following certificate templates are affected:
| Existing Template | New Template | New Certificate Title |
|---|---|---|
| FEEN1A | FGBA | OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE FOR THE PLACING ON THE MARKET OF FISHERY PRODUCTS TO GREAT BRITAIN, CHANNEL ISLANDS AND ISLE OF MAN |
| FEEN1E | FGBB | OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE FOR THE PLACING ON THE MARKET OF FISHERY PRODUCTS TO GREAT BRITAIN, CHANNEL ISLANDS AND ISLE OF MAN |
| ZDENH1 | ZDGB01 | HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR DAIRY PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM MILK OF COWS, EWES, GOATS AND BUFFALOES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION FROM THIRD COUNTRIES OR PARTS THEREOF AUTHORISED IN COLUMN B OF ANNEX I TO REGULATION (EU) No 605/2010 INTENDED FOR IMPORTATION INTO GREAT BRITAIN, CHANNEL ISLANDS AND ISLE OF MAN |
| M492 | NGBB | HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR IMPORT OF COMPOSITE PRODUCTS INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION TO GREAT BRITAIN, CHANNEL ISLANDS AND ISLE OF MAN |
| EUHGB | NGBA | HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR THE IMPORT OF HONEY, ROYAL JELLY AND OTHER APICULTURE PRODUCTS INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION TO GREAT BRITAIN, CHANNEL ISLANDS AND ISLE OF MAN |
What do you need to do?
Raise RFP (request for permit) as normal. When issued, the certificate wording will refer to Great Britain, rather than the EU. Although the UK is no longer a member of the EU, there are references to EU legislation within the new GB certificates. This is ‘retained EU law’ as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
Trade to Northern Ireland
Trade to Northern Ireland will continue on existing European Union (EU) certificates, under the Northern Ireland Protocol agreed between the United Kingdom (UK) and the EU.
Please contact the department for advice on selection of the appropriate certificates if you intend to send product to ports in Northern Ireland (foodexports@aff.gov.au or phone 1800 900 090)
Transit
The UK Government has published advice regarding transit or trans-shipment through the UK.
Companies are encouraged to verify that their shipments have the correct certification prior to their shipments leaving Australia, noting restrictions around the replacement of health certificates for both the EU and the UK.
Paperless certificates
The department is continuing to work with our UK counterparts to implement paperless exchange of health certificates as soon as practicable. This will facilitate the electronic exchange of certificates which will provide greater efficiency and security. Progress will be announced in future Market Access Advices.
The Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) will be updated to reflect this Market Access Advice.
Further information
Contact exportstandards@awe.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.