19 December 2017
Who does this notice affect?
This notice is of interest to importers of uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat products and associated industry participants.
What has changed?
Symbio Laboratories Pty Ltd is a new laboratory approved to conduct on-arrival batch testing for viruses of concern in imported raw frozen prawns. Advanced Analytical Australia Pty Ltd (AAA) is no longer approved to test for viruses in imported raw frozen prawns. These changes take effect from 20 December 2017.
The department will accept test results for samples sent to AAA provided these were directed to this laboratory for testing before 20 December 2017.
From 20 December 2017 samples may only be directed to the laboratories below:
Symbio Laboratories Pty Ltd
Approved Arrangements Number: N3003 & N3004
Address: 2 Sirius Road, Lane Cove West, NSW 2066
Telephone: +61 1300 703 166
Facsimile: +61 7 3219 0333
Email: admin@symbiolabs.com.au
Agrigen Pty Ltd
Approved Arrangements Number: N2813
Address: Unit 1 of 6, Chaplin Drive, Lane Cove West, NSW 2066
Telephone: +61 2 8856 0988
Facsimile: +61 2 8856 0988
Email: info@agrigen.com.au
Elizabeth MacArthur Agricultural Institute
Approved Arrangements Number: N2338
Address: Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth MacArthur Agricultural Institute, Woodbridge Rd, Menangle NSW 2568
Telephone: +61 2 4640 6337
Facsimile: +61 2 4640 6429
Email: virology.enquiries@dpi.nsw.gov.au
As per the existing policy, the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) is available only for re-testing samples that have tested positive by screening laboratories (confirmatory testing). Importers may request confirmatory testing and all costs are borne by importers. No laboratories other than AAHL may carry out confirmatory testing.
Further information
Biosecurity import conditions for prawns can be accessed via Australia’s Biosecurity Import Conditions database (BICON).
For further information on approved laboratories for testing imported prawns, please contact:
Email:
Imports
Telephone: 1800 900 090