5 April 2012
Purpose
To remind industry that prescribed goods must be free from live pests and contaminants before the goods are presented for export inspection.
Background
Overseas plant protection organisations have recently advised DAFF Biosecurity of unacceptable levels of contaminants in some grain shipments.
Exporter’s responsibilities
- Exporter must ensure that any goods intended for export must not contain live pests including insects, snails, rodents and their waste, animal carcases or other contaminants above levels specified by the importing country.
- Exporters must not present goods to an authorised officer for inspection if goods are known to be contaminated with live pests or any other contaminant. In certain cases exporters may need to screen product to ensure goods meet these requirement.
Authorised Officer responsibilities
- Authorised officer must inspect goods and be satisfied that there are no live pests or contaminants in the sample before the goods can be passed as export compliant.
- Authorised officers should note that snail shells may contain an aestivating (resting state) snail which may appear dead. If any snail shell is found during inspection, authorised officers must open or crush the shell to determine the presence or absence of a live animal.
For any further details please contact Grain & Seed Export program or phone (02) 6272 3229.
Kylie Calhoun
A/g Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations