Date of Issue: 18 November 2013
Date of Effect: TBC
Affected Markets: China
China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) has published a draft copy of their ‘Administrative Measures for Non-edible Animal Products Entry and Exit Inspection’ (the proposed Measures) on their website.
A copy of the proposed Measures (in Chinese) was available on the AQSIQ website.
The department has assessed an unofficial translation of the document and understands the following key points:
- The scope of the measures includes a range of non-edible animal products such as skins, hides, hairs, fibres, bones, hooves, horns, fats/tallow, gelatine, bee products, inedible aquatic products and inedible dairy products.
- The Measures are not intended to apply to animal feed, feed additives, genetic material or ‘biological material and products’.
Note: the department has sought clarification on the definition of biological material and products. - The intent of the Measures is to regulate the movement into and out of China of non-edible animal products and to ensure that a risk-based appropriate level of protection is applied in relation to animal diseases, parasites and pests. The measures would apply to all countries.
- China will conduct a risk analysis and supervision procedure assessment for any country sending a commodity to China for the first time. A retrospective review will be required for a country that is currently, or has previously, exported a particular commodity. Based on these assessments, a decision will be made regarding the need to establish an export protocol or specific export health certification requirements. All inspection and quarantine will be based on bilateral agreements.
- AQSIQ will register and publish a list all establishments approved to export to China. To become approved, the competent authority of the exporting country must make a recommendation and submit a comprehensive package of information for assessment by China. Chinese officials will then conduct a paper based verification process followed by an on-site audit.
There is currently no guidance on the process of, or time frame for, implementation of the proposed Measures. Accordingly, the Department of Agriculture (the department) has requested further information from AQSIQ and will update industry when advice is received. The department hopes to work closely with China to ensure minimal impacts on the current trade in non-edible animal by-products.
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.