Date of issue: 24 August 2020
Date of effect: Immediate
Who does this notice affect?
Exporters of non-prescribed goods - poultry and ratite products and animal by-products required to meet avian influenza importing country requirements.
Purpose
This notice directs exporters to where they can find more information about the export certification affected by the avian influenza outbreaks in Victoria.
Disease situation - avian influenza outbreaks in Victoria
Information on the disease situation can be found via the Victorian Government Agriculture Department website: Avian influenza (bird flu).
Further information is also available on the Australian Government National Pest and Disease Outbreaks website: Avian influenza in Victoria.
Affected export certification
The department has issued market access advice (MAA) notices about country-imposed bans/advice and the export certificates affected by the avian influenza outbreaks. Exporters will be advised of further updates in subsequent MAAs. Exporters and establishments are encouraged to regularly check the main commodity landing pages of MICoR to ensure they are referencing the most up-to-date avian influenza MAA. The MAAs are available from relevant peak industry bodies or by contacting exportstandards@awe.gov.au.
In summary:
- Certificates that contain endorsements with reference to avian influenza freedom applying to the whole of Australia or where a country has applied suspension in addition to current certification requirements will not be issued.
- Certificates that contain references to avian influenza freedom applying to a state or affected region are in the process of being reinstated depending on specific requirements explained in the MAAs.
- Certificates that do not appear in the MAAs are not impacted.
Exporters should note that even if export certificates are able to be issued, all avian product that is exported from Australia at this time to any market carries a risk of being rejected at port-of-entry. Trading partners may still impose bans on avian product sourced from the affected region, the state of Victoria or the whole of Australia despite or in addition to current export certification requirements.
Certificate reinstatement
The department is in the process of reinstating export certificates that contain attestations regarding avian influenza applying to a state or affected region, which were previously suspended.
In applying for certificates that include attestations regarding avian influenza applying to a state or affected regions, exporters will need to make an exporter declaration. For non-prescribed goods including petfood, rendered products, skins, hides and pharmaceuticals, exporters will need to declare:
The products comply with the avian influenza importing country requirements and all attestations on the certificate. This declaration is supported by records.
NOTE - Exporters are reminded that it is an offence to provide false or misleading information to the Australian Government.
NOTE - Where an attestation on a certificate references an ‘impacted property’, this will be taken to mean the current outbreak 'control area' as defined by the Victorian Agriculture Department.
The MAAs list the affected certificates and explain the applicable state or affected region freedom requirements and whether and exporter declaration is required.
Country import restrictions/advice
A complete summary of countries that have notified the department of importing restrictions in relation to avian influenza in addition to the suspension of affected export certificates is provided in the MAAs.
Exporter and establishment guidance
To assist with information management, exporters and establishments are requested to direct all enquiries to the department about the effect of the avian influenza incident on exports through their relevant peak industry body where possible.
Exporters should contact the department if they believe consignments can meet Australian and importing country requirements via exportstandards@awe.gov.au.
Exporters with detained consignments that require departmental assistance are requested to email details of the consignment, including the export certificate and/or RFP number to the above address.
As was the case with previous avian influenza incidents, the department is taking all possible action to minimise the effects of this disease incident on trade and will keep industry informed of further developments.
Non-Prescribed Goods Export Program - NPGExports@awe.gov.au
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.