We are changing the process used for regulating the export of non-prescribed goods (NPGs). The reforms will cover wool, rendered products, hides and skins, pet food, stock feed, feed additives, processed foods, honey, pharmaceuticals, blood products and more. Combined, the export of these products generates almost $10 billion per year.
Our goal is to ensure the export system for these goods can continue to provide the levels and types of assurance required by importing countries now and into the future.
Consultation
We have recently completed a period of public consultation on the options for reform. We are now working to incorporate your feedback as we progress to the next stage of the project.
To support consultations, we have formed an Industry Reform Committee (IRC) composed of representatives from key NPG industry groups. The IRC acts as a conduit between government and industry throughout the reform, providing industry views directly into the process.
The following organisations are members of the IRC:
- Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors
- Australian Hide, Skin and Leather Exporters Association
- Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
- Animal Medicines Australia
- Australian Renderers Association
- Feed Ingredients and Additives Association Australia
- Pet Food Industry Association of Australia
- Stock Feed Manufacturers’ Council of Australia.
You are encouraged to contact your representative body to share your views or find out more. We will update this page with other opportunities to contribute to the reforms as they arise.
Why do we need reform?
Australia needs export assurance systems and processes that are efficient, fit for purpose and flexible enough to accommodate the growing success of our export industries, new products and changing risks. There are 3 main factors driving the need for reform:
- Importing countries require more assurances
- Cost recovery is not appropriately attributed to where the costs originate
- Unsustainable administrative processes
Increasingly importing countries have greater expectations of government oversight over the products they accept into their countries. Importing countries now may require us to conduct audits, maintain lists of approved exporters, and give assurances covering a wide range of conditions, when previously, a government certificate was sufficient for the export of NPG goods. This combined with the growth of our export industries has required a need for reform.
The regulatory powers that will enable the required reforms of the NPG export sector are available to the department under the Export Control Act 2020. If we prescribe the export of goods currently described as NPGs, we gain access to these tools and can continue meeting importing country requirements in a modern and flexible way.
Benefits for exporters
Australian agricultural exporters will benefit from the reform by having:
- a clear approach to making decisions and providing assurance for our exports.
- the flexibility to adapt as a system to changes in importing country requirements.
- an appropriate, consistent and transparent management of export risks.
- continued trust in Australia’s exports, exporters, export regulator, and our status as a world-leading trading partner.
- better preparation for the future and the changing needs of exporters and their markets.
Contact
Export Assurance Reform
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601
Email: Export Assurance Reform