Date of Issue: 1 May 2015
Date of Effect: Immediate
Attention:
Industries - Seafood
Department of Agriculture - Central and Regional offices
Affected Markets: Argentina
Further information: Please contact Exports if you have any queries.
The Republic of Argentina has advised that from 1 May 2015, bilaterally agreed bilingual (English/Spanish) export certificates must accompany all shipments of animal products/by-products exported from Australia to the Republic of Argentina.
Based on a review of existing trade, the Department of Agriculture (the department) has written to the Republic of Argentina’s Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA) to provide revised bilingual certification for the following products:
- Milk and milk products which may be intended for human consumption
- Lipase prepared from calf vells and gullets
- Other inedible animal by- products such as wool, skins and hides and bovine blood products
The department has requested that Argentina continue to accept the existing English-only certification for these products until revised bilingual certification has been negotiated. At this time, the department has not received a response to this request. As such, shipments of animal products/by-products exported to the Republic of Argentina after 1 May 2015 and not accompanied by bilingual export certification may be rejected on arrival in Argentina.
Until SENASA has confirmed that they will accept English-only certificates during the transition period, the department will only certify the above products using the existing English-only certification if exporters accept in writing that the consignments are exported at their commercial risk. The department will have minimal capacity to facilitate the release of any detained shipments. Exporters are encouraged to work closely with their importers to determine certification requirements post 1 May 2015.
Game trophies
The department is aware that there an agreed bilingual certificate for the export of game trophies to Argentina already in place. The department understands that this certificate will continue to be accepted by Argentina after 1 May 2015, however, exporters are encouraged to work closely with their importers to confirm that this is the case.
Animal products and by-products not listed above
There is no currently agreed certification for the export of edible meat, seafood, eggs, rendered products and pet food to Argentina. Exporters with established trade in animal products/by-products other than those listed above to the Republic of Argentina using English only certificates are encouraged to contact the department’s regional offices to discuss certification arrangements.
The information provided above 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.