Date of Issue: 23 February 2016
Date of Effect: Immediate
Attention:
Industries - Seafood
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources - Central and Regional offices
Affected Markets: French Polynesia, European Union
Further information: Please contact Exports if you have queries.
This market access advice (MAA) updates MAA 2016-01 issued on 7 January 2016 and provides information relating to the export of Australian oysters intended for human consumption to the European Union (EU) and French Polynesia.
The European Union
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) reminds exporters that Australian native flat oysters (Ostrea angasi) are current not eligible to be exported to the EU.
French Polynesia
French Polynesian authorities have advised of revised import requirements for Australian bivalve molluscs following the detection of Bonamia exitiosa in Victorian native flat oysters (Ostrea angasi). The following oyster species and products are now eligible to be exported to French Polynesia;
- species of oysters not susceptible to B.exitiosa sourced from any state/territory
- susceptible* oyster species sourced from outside Victoria (infected zone) i.e. from all other Australian states/territories
- susceptible* oyster species sourced from Victoria (infected zone) provided they have been have been partially de-shelled.
*Susceptible oyster species include the Australian mud oyster (Ostrea angasi), Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis), European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and oyster (Ostrea stentina).
Trade in whole susceptible oyster species sourced from Victoria remains suspended.
Export certification for Australian bivalve molluscs has been updated and is now available upon request. MICOR has also been updated to reflect certification changes.
The department will keep industry informed of further developments.
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