29 October 2020
Who does this notice affect?
This notice is of interest to importers of uncooked prawns and associated industry participants and retailers.
What has changed?
From 1 July 2020, all uncooked prawns imported for human consumption must be deveined (removal of the digestive tract that remains along the dorsal ridge of each prawn to at least the last shell segment).
This change is to mitigate the biosecurity risk associated with Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). Further information is available in Biosecurity Advice Notice 2020-A03.
At the time of writing, Competent Authorities in Argentina, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China, Denmark, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam have provided written confirmation to the department that these countries can meet Australia’s interim import conditions for uncooked prawns.
The department continues to work with other trading partners to ensure safe trade can continue in uncooked prawns that meet Australia’s interim import conditions.
Note: All imports of uncooked prawns (including marinated) arriving on or after 1 July 2020 must be deveined and accompanied by appropriate health certification to manage the biosecurity risks associated with EHP. All non-compliant consignments must be treated, exported or destroyed.
Further Information
The department will provide further Industry Advice Notices once Competent Authorities confirm in writing that they can meet the interim import conditions.
The interim import conditions can be found at Biosecurity Advice Notice 2020-A03.
If you require further information please call 1800 900 090 or email Imports.