Date of issue: 27 April 2021
Date of effect: 31 March 2021 to 30 June 2021
Reference Number: MAA2021- 12
Attention:
- Industries—Industry bodies – Dairy Australia – Infant Nutrition Council, Seafood Export Consultative Committee, Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
- Export dairy and seafood establishments
- Licensed exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment — Central and Regional offices
Purpose:
This Market Access Advice provides advice that the United Kingdom (UK), (Great Britain, excluding Northern Ireland), has extended the deadline for updating export certificates for trade to Great Britain from 31 March 2021 to 30 June 2021. Current health certificates will therefore be valid if issued up to and including 30 June 2021.
Summary of key points
- Following representation by the department, the United Kingdom (UK) has extended the deadline for updating export certificates for trade to Great Britain from 31 March 2021 to 30 June 2021.
- Current EU model health certificates will be valid if issued up to and including 30 June 2021.
- The UK continues to recognise the status of establishments previously approved by the EU to import animal products into the UK as of 31 December 2020. New listing requests for the UK should be submitted to Export Establishment Registration.
- Pre-notification on the UK Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) must be provided by GB import agents and cannot be raised by exporters directly.
- The department’s Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) page will be updated to reflect the changes to certification requirements.
- The department encourages users of Micor to subscribe to the MICoR update service for a commodity specific email that lists changes that have been made in the preceding week.
Development of New Certificates
- Revised templates for export health certificates for England, Scotland and Wales will be amended to refer to Great Britain rather than the EU. The department, as a matter of priority, continues to revise these certificates in EXDOC to meet this deadline.
- In the interim the department is working with our UK counterparts to implement paperless exchange of health certificates as soon as practicable. This platform facilitates the electronic exchange of certificates which will provide greater efficiency and security. Progress will be announced in future Market Access Advices.
Summary of key points for trade to Northern Ireland
- Trade to Northern Ireland will be unaffected as health certificates generated to this destination will continue on European Union (EU) certificates, under the Northern Ireland Protocol agreed between the UK and the EU.
- The UK Government has published advice regarding transit or trans-shipment through the UK.
- Due to the Northern Ireland Protocol, exports to Northern Ireland must continue to meet EU SPS rules and marketing standards including the relevant EU model certificate.
- Companies are encouraged to verify that their shipments have the correct certification prior to their shipments leaving Australia, noting the restrictions around the replacement of health certificates for the EU.
- Northern Ireland continues to use the EU regulations and import systems and the EU TRACES system must continue to be used to provide pre-notification of imports to Northern Ireland (Belfast Port and Belfast International Airport).
Further information
Contact ExportStandards@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.
The information provided in this advice 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.