Date of Issue: 18 May 2017
Date of Effect: Immediate
Reference Number: MAA 2017-05
Attention:
Industry - Seafood
Seafood Export establishments
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources—Central and Regional offices
Affected Markets: All prawn exports
Purpose
To notify seafood export establishments that, from 22 May 2017, it is no longer a requirement for exporters to make the declaration ‘The prawns in this consignment have not been sourced from a farm or fishing zone where white spot disease has been confirmed.’ to raise a request for permit to export prawns.
Background
On 22 February 2017, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources implemented the requirement for an exporter declaration that the prawns were sourced from a zone free of White Spot disease. This requirement was implemented in response to the department’s December 2016 notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) of the confirmed detection of White Spot disease in black tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon) located in South East Queensland.
On 16 March 2017, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries implemented a Movement Control Order (Moreton Bay) for White Spot Syndrome Virus.
This order prohibits the removal of decapod crustaceans (including prawns, crabs and lobsters) and polychaete worms from the designated movement control area unless cooked or transiting the control area in commercially sealed unopened packages, therefore negating the need for exporters to make an additional declaration to the department when raising a request for permit to export prawns.
The standard declaration that fish for export have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Orders 2005 includes the requirement that the fish for export are sourced in accordance with all applicable Commonwealth, State and Territory fisheries law and are not affected by a disease that can be transferred by fish and fish products.
Further information: Contact Exports if you have any queries.
The Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) will be updated to reflect the changes.
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.