Certification alert
(updated 22 September 2020)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H7N7) and Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N2) have been confirmed on farms in Victoria in July and August 2020. As a result, the Department is unable to issue export certification for some poultry and ratite meat, meat products, rendered meals, pet food, eggs and egg products where the certification contains freedom from avian influenza declarations. In addition, some trading partners have imposed temporary suspensions on the import of these products from Victoria or all of Australia.
The Department is issuing regular Market Access Advices (MAAs) to advise exporters of relevant trade developments and the status of export certification. Exporters are advised to refer to the latest MAA (MAA2069, issued on 18 September 2020) for the most up-to-date information.
Exporters are also advised to confirm with their importer or the importing country's relevant authority that they meet the importing country requirements.
For all enquiries or to obtain a copy of the latest Market Access Advice, please email
exportstandards@awe.gov.au
Exporters are reminded that it is an offence to provide false or misleading information to the Australian Government.
COVID-19 exporter update
Country adoption of additional requirements for exported food and agricultural products
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Department) is aware that trading partners may require additional assurances for food and agricultural products as a result of the rapid and global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Department understands that these temporary requirements may include requests for additional certification, or statements/ attestations to provide assurance that products are not contaminated and are safe for human consumption.
Given the above, the Department will not provide additional certification or tailored statements for individual product exports in reference to this virus. However, if concerns are raised by trading partners and additional documentation is required, the Department has provided a generic letter which can be used by exporters.
The Department is proactively monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. The department would like to note that COVID-19 information provided on Micor is temporary and should only be used if required. The decision to supply the information to an importer/importing country is a commercial decision.
Micor (Meat) sets out importing country requirements that differ from relevant Australian standards, that must be met to gain market access for edible and inedible meat, meat products and animal by-products. Relevant Australian standards are set out in
ELMER 3.
Micor (Meat) also sets out importing country documentation requirements.
Meat export establishments must be export-registered, and must conform to Australian standards and Australian monitoring programs such as the
National Residue Survey (NRS) and
National Carcase Microbiology Monitoring Program (formerly known as ESAM).
Exporters should seek other sources of information on commercial specifications for meat imported into a particular country.
Due to the August 2014 Micor upgrade, some pages display the date of 'last update' as a date in July or August 2014. These dates were applied when the system was upgraded and therefore do not necessarily reflect the last date that the page was updated. Exporters should not rely on this date to determine when changes to importing country requirements have occurred. The Department encourages all exporters to contact officials from the country of import, either through the importer or directly, to confirm that their product meets the current importing country requirements.
Certified Organic Products
Information on
Certified Organic Products