Update: 16/06/16
Date of effect: immediate
Exporters and processing establishments are reminded that it is a legislative requirement of the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Orders 2005 (Fish Orders) that fish for export are described by the scientific name of the fish and/or the Australian Fish Name of the fish as it appears in the Australian Fish Names Standard (AFNS).
This includes the description of the fish that is part of the trade description applied to fish for export and the description (including the scientific name) that appears on export documentation and health certificates issued by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
Australian Fish Names Standard
The Fish Names Committee (FNC) is the Standards Reference Body responsible for the development and ongoing maintenance of AS300 - Australian Fish Names Standard. The FNC has rigorous procedures for determining whether to change or add a name to the AFNS. For additional information on Australian Fish Names and the FRDC Fish Names Committee, including a link a searchable database of Australian Fish Names.
Changes to Australian Fish Names
- Periodically, changes are made to the Australian Fish Names Standard by the FNC. Changes can include; the addition of names, amendment of existing names and/or changes to scientific names.
- To ensure continued legislative compliance with the AFNS, the department may be required to make corresponding changes to the department’s systems for issuing export certification – the Establishment Register (ER) and EXDOC.
- The following tables detail the most recent changes made to the EXDOC system and the action (if any) to be taken by exporters and processing establishments preparing or exporting the products specified.
New Australian Fish Names
| Existing Product type Fish Name Scientific Name |
New Product type Fish Name Scientific Name |
Current status | Action required by occupier of Reg. Est. preparing this product for export |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | ATF Antarctic Toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni |
Active | Application to be made to add codes to the establishment.* |
* Please Note: Additional information may be required to support the application if the product is prepared using a process that the establishment has not previously received departmental approval for.
Changes to Australian Fish Names
Please note: While the AFNS allows the use of GROUP names (a single Australian Fish Name that applies to number of sub-species), the most accurate Fish Name should be used where available. Exporters and processors should be aware that the use of GROUP names on export documentation, specifically Health Certificates for China and EU countries may be questioned by importing country authorities.
| Existing Product type Fish Name Scientific Name |
New Product type |
Current status | Action required by occupier of Reg. Est. preparing this product for export |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTR TROPICAL ROCK LOBSTER Panulirus Spp. except. cygnus |
N/A | Active | None – establishments using this product code can continue to do so. Tropical Rock Lobster is the GROUP name and includes Panulirus ornatus |
| LOR Ornate Rock Lobster Panulirus ornatus |
Active | Application to be made to add codes to the establishment.* | |
| CSW Crystal Crab Chaceon bicolor |
CSW Crystal Crab Chaceon albus |
Active | None – no change to existing code used by establishment. Scientific name will be changed in EXDOC and Chaceon albus will appear on the associate Health Certificate. Note: this is the species caught in WA. |
| CSE Eastern Crystal Crab Chaceon bicolor |
Active | Application to be made to add codes to the establishment.* Note: this is the species caught on the east coast of Australia |
|
| TVS Trevally – Silver Pseudocaranx dentex & Pseudocaranx wrighi |
TVS TREVALLY -SILVER (IES) Pseudocaranx georgianus, Pseudocaranx sp. dentex & Pseudocaranx wrighi |
Active | None – no change to existing code used by establishment. AFN and scientific name will be changed in ER and EXDOC. TREVALLY - SILVER (IES) is the GROUP name and includes P. dentex & wrighi |
| TRS Trevally - Silver Pseudocaranx georgianus |
Active | Application to be made to add codes to the establishment.* |
* Please Note: Additional information may be required to support the application if the product is prepared using a process that the establishment has not previously received departmental approval for. Applications for cut codes are to be sent to your regional food safety auditor.
If a consignment is detained due to a change to fish name
If a consignment is detained by the importing country authority due to:
- not recognising the changed or new name that appears on the Health Certificate that accompanies the fish; or
- discrepancies between the trade description appearing on packaging and the changed or new name that appears on the Health Certificate that accompanies the fish
Please contact the Dairy, Eggs and Fish Export Program and a letter of facilitation will be forwarded to the importing country.
Request for letters of facilitation must include:
- Request for Permit (RFP) number associated with detained consignment
- Name and location of the importing country authority contact
- Reason that consignment was detained.
- Letters will not be issued for exports that have been shipped but not detained.
Incorrect Trade Description on packaging due to changes
The department is aware that changes to the AFNS may result in large quantities of pre-printed packaging no longer meet legislative requirements for an accurate Trade Description.
The department will recognize a 6 month “phase in” period from the date of this notice to allow changes to be made to Trade Descriptions on pre-printed packaging.
At the end of this period, application must be made and an exemption granted for the use of any non-compliant packaging.
For questions regarding this notice, please contact Dairy, Eggs and Fish Export Program.