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NSFS reference: 5
Issue date: August 2023
Date of effect: 1 October 2023
Contact officer:
Adam Balcerak
Director, Export Meat Program
officialmarks.exportmeat@aff.gov.au
Purpose
This notice provides notification of a change in the appearance of official marks – bolt seals and tamper-indicative metal strap seals - and advice regarding the implementation date and ordering arrangements for the new seals.
Note, this Meat Notice, MN23/05, replaces the earlier MN23/03 – which has now been archived - and outlines the process and steps for ordering Departmental bolts and seals. It further provides additional policy context around the colour of bolt seals and for which types of consignments they are to be used for during export operations.
Scope
This notice applies to all export registered establishments.
Definitions
The following table defines terms used in this notice.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Official mark – tamper-indicative metal strap seal | As defined in the Export Control Rules 2021. For example, in the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) 2021, Part 3: 8-14 Official mark—tamper indicative metal strap seal A seal that:
is an official mark for the purposes of the Act. |
| Official mark – bolt seal | As defined in the Export Control Rules 2021. For example, in the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) 2021, Part 3: 8-15 Official mark—bolt seal A seal that:
is an official mark for the purposes of the Act. |
Summary of changes
Following a recent tender process, a change in appearance of official marks bolt seals and tamper-indicative metal strap seals will occur.
The implementation date for these changes is 1 October 2023.
The existing bolt seals and tamper-indicative metal strap seals must cease being applied on 30 September 2023.
The department will be notifying trading partners of the upcoming changes, including the appearance of the seals to facilitate a smooth transition and prevent any disruptions to trade.
Colour bolt seals to be used
Where it is a requirement for the container system unit to be sealed with an official mark - bolt seal, the following colour seals must be used:
- For prescribed goods, green bolt seals (Refer to Table 1)
- For non-prescribed goods, blue bolt seals.
| Products | Legislative reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rules | When the bolt seal must be applied | Who can apply the bolt seal | |
| Prescribed meat or meat products | Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) Rules 2021 | 5-19 | 8-26 |
| Prescribed wild game meat or wild game meat products | Export Control (Wild Game Meat and Wild Game Meat Products) Rules 2021 | 5-14 | 8-23 |
| Prescribed poultry meat or poultry meat products | Export Control (Poultry Meat and Poultry Meat Products) Rules 2021 | 5-16 | 8-22 |
| Prescribed rabbit meat, ratite meat, rabbit meat products or ratite meat products | Export Control (Rabbit and Ratite Meat and Rabbit and Ratite Meat Products) Rules 2021 | 5-20 | 8-22 |
Requirements
Establishments are advised to ensure adequate stock levels of current bolts and seals to see through exports until 30 September 2023.
Please email VEMGPlanning&Coord@aff.gov.au should stock levels be inadequate to meet this timeframe. Further information regarding the destruction procedure of current seals will be provided shortly.
Seal ordering information for initial rollout
The department has contracted Mega Fortris Pty Ltd to supply and deliver official seals directly to stakeholders.
An updated order form is provided with this meat notice, additionally the order form will be available on the Agriculture website. Order forms for Container and Tamper-indicative seals
- Seal consignments will be delivered by Direct Freight Express couriers.
- The order form has changed to include additional stakeholder delivery details to assist the courier, Direct Freight Express to find the nominated location.
- The department will continue to receive all seal orders to vemgplanning&coord@aff.gov.au
It is preferred that the seal order form is typed for ease of review and to ensure correct delivery details are used.
Step by Step Instruction
- Complete all fields of the Seal order form.
- Forward the completed seal order form to vemgplanning&coord@aff.gov.au
- Mega Fortris will receive your seal order from the department and process the order – if received by Mega Fortris prior to 11.00am EDST it will be despatched the same day.
- Your order can be tracked using the email address provided in the seal order form.
- Direct Freight Express will deliver your order, depending on your location in 1-10 business days Australia wide.
Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding this Meat Notice, please email officialmarks.exportmeat@aff.gov.au.
Adam Balcerak
Director
Export Meat Program
August 2023