Date of issue: 20 January 2023
Date of effect: Immediate
Reference Number: MAA2023-02
Related MAAs: MAA 2022-18, 2022-23
Attention
- Industries—Industry bodies - Seafood Export Consultative Committee, Seafood Trade Advisory Group, Seafood Industry Australia
- Export establishments
- Exporters, AEPI and EXDOC users
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry—central and regional offices
Purpose
This Market Access Advice (MAA) is to notify Industry of an extension of the effective date for new certificate requirements by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been granted until 1 March 2023.
Summary of key points
- FSSAI has notified the department that it has extended the effective date of implementation of new certificate requirements until 1 March 2023 for export of fish and fish products to India.
- The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) is engaging with FSSAI to negotiate new export health certification for fish and fish products.
- Prior to this extension, an interim arrangement had been negotiated to allow existing bilaterally agreed health certification for the export of fish and fish products to India to be accepted until certificate negotiations could be finalised.
- The interim arrangement included a letter of conformity to accompany existing health certificates.
- As an extension has been granted until 1 March 2023, letters of conformity will no longer be required to accompany export documentation for fish and fish products imported into India prior to 1 March 2023.
- The department recommends exporters exercise caution when exporting fish and fish products to India where product will arrive on or after 1 March 2023 until health certification negotiations are complete.
- fish and fish products exported to India on existing certification may not be accepted at import inspection from 1 March 2023 and may be at elevated risk of being detained.
- The department may not be able to facilitate the release of detained consignments impacted by the changes.
The department will publish further Market Access Advice when updated information is received.
Further information
Contact ExportStandards@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.