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 (Dairy) sets out the known certification and importing country requirements that must be met in order to gain market access for milk and milk products (including colostrum). This includes products that are intended for human consumption, products that require further manufacturing before they are fit for human consumption, and products that are not intended for human consumption, such as animal feed, and technical products.
Establishments that produce milk and milk products intended for human consumption that require official certification that refers to Australia's export legislation must be export-registered, and must conform to the Approved Arrangement requirements of the
Export Control (Milk and Milk Product) Orders 2005 (this includes both the manufacturer and storage facilities).
Micor (Eggs, Honey and Processed Foods) sets out the requirements for processed foods with dairy minor ingredients where they are known. In many cases, a manual declaration and generic certificate of condition (EX188B) is available which may meet importing country requirements. Processed foods with minor dairy ingredients that have been processed in export-registered dairy establishments may be able to be exported on an electronic version of this declaration and certificate of condition (ZD001). If exporters choose to use a declaration and certificate of condition for these products, they must check the suitability of this document with their importer.