3 October 2012
This Biosecurity Advice informs stakeholders that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has finalised the Guidelines for managing the risk of transmitting transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) via veterinary vaccines and other in vivo veterinary products (the Guidelines). The Guidelines will be taken into account by decision makers when considering import permit applications in accordance with the Quarantine Act 1908 and Quarantine Proclamation 1998 as amended, effective from the date of this Biosecurity Advice.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has updated its 2005 review of Australia’s biosecurity requirements for veterinary vaccines, other veterinary therapeutics and in vivo veterinary products in relation to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).
A draft policy review was issued on 10 November 2011 for a 60-day consultation period, which closed on 9 January 2012 (Biosecurity Australia Advice 2011/21). DAFF considered the stakeholder comments received in finalising the Guidelines.
The Guidelines complement, and should be read in conjunction with, the current version of the following documents:
- Australian quarantine policy and requirements for the importation of live and novel veterinary bulk and finished vaccines (1999) and
- Specific quarantine requirements for the importation of inactivated veterinary vaccines (1997).
The Guidelines will be updated as required. Adjustments to the document may be necessary from time to time if further scientific information becomes available, international standards evolve or the number of countries reporting TSEs changes. DAFF will continue to monitor developments closely and, if necessary, will make changes to ensure the supply of essential veterinary vaccines and other therapeutics continues without compromising Australia’s TSE status.