Live animals

Notice – China trade (updated 19 November 2021)

Import delays for product into China

Exporters/ export-registered establishments are advised that some shipments have been delayed on entry into China, leading to commercial losses. While the Department will continue to facilitate market access and seek to ensure importing country requirements are up to date and accurate, the Department encourages exporters to fully consider their own risk and potential losses. Exporters should ensure that they have independently confirmed relevant importing country requirements. Exporters are urged to seek advice from importers on potential for disruption to the clearance of their shipment.

New Chinese requirements for imported food and overseas food establishments

China has new requirements for imported food and overseas food establishments that will take effect from 1 January 2022. These requirements affect all manufacturers and storage facilities exporting food to China.

For further information refer to:

Plants Export Industry Advice Notice: IAN 2021–41 – Plant Export Operations – Updated requirements for food manufacturers exporting to China
Non-prescribed goods Market Access Advices: MAA 2021–07, MAA 2021-14, MAA2021-15 and MAA2021-18 – China: Dairy, fish, honey and edible non-prescribed goods: Chinese requirements for imported food and overseas food establishments from 1 January 2022
Meat Market Access Advice MAA2129* (PDF 270 KB) – China: Meat: New Chinese requirements for imported food and overseas food establishments from 1 January 2022

*Requires login to Micor meat. Exporters and affiliated industries can apply for a login.

The Department is seeking implementation guidance from China and is working on processes for implementation. Updated advice will be provided as soon as possible. For enquiries, email exportstandards@awe.gov.au

Certification alert – Avian Influenza (updated 19 April 2021)

On 26 February 2021 Australia regained its previous animal health status for avian influenza following outbreaks in Victoria. The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Department) is currently reviewing affected health certification for avian and ratite products (including meat, meat products, by-products, eggs in shell and processed eggs/ egg products) and assessing whether certification can be reinstated. The Department is actively approaching overseas government authorities to request the removal of trade restrictions imposed due to the outbreak.

The Department will issue regular Market Access Advices (MAAs) to inform stakeholders of trade updates and the status of export certification.

For current certification and country specific trade information, exporters are advised to refer to the following MAAs (Further MAAs will be published as information is received):

MAA2117 (PDF 360 KB) – Avian influenza: Updates for trade to Kuwait, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, the United States of America, Vanuatu and Vietnam (issued on 31 March 2021)
MAA2120 (PDF 340 KB) – Avian influenza: Updates for trade to Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Tonga and South Africa (issued on 16 April 2021)

For the latest information on other markets and commodities that continue to be affected by trade restrictions due to avian influenza, we refer you to the relevant appended tables of the latest MAA2120.

For all enquiries, or to obtain a copy of a Market Access Advice, email exportstandards@awe.gov.au

Considerations to be noted by exporters

Product eligibility

Exporters are advised that sourcing avian meat and avian products (including by-products) for export must meet importing country requirements relating to hatching and/or processing dates. This may include restrictions on exporting avian meat or avian products (including by-products) which were processed prior to Australia regaining its previous animal health status for avian influenza, or other specified requirements. Exporters are reminded that it is an offence to provide false or misleading information to the Australian Government.

Exporter declarations

Exporters need to ensure that the appropriate exporter declaration (as advised in the above mentioned MAAs) continues to be applied when raising health certification for avian meat and avian products. Exporters are reminded that it is an offence to provide false or misleading information to the Australian Government.

Normalisation of trade

Exporters should be aware that trade may not have recommenced immediately for all markets, and depending on specific certification and importing country requirements, extended delays may occur for some markets. Exporters are advised to continue working closely with their importers to ensure their product meets current importing requirements to manage potential commercial risk.

Micor (Live animals) sets out the known importing country requirements that must be met to export live animals and reproductive material from Australia.

Exporters must also comply with Australian export legislation.

More information about export requirements for livestock, companion animals and reproductive material is available.

For information on how to export from Australia, visit Exporting from Australia.

Login

You need to login to access livestock entries in Micor (live animals). Livestock includes cattle, sheep, goats, deer, buffalo and camelids (that is camels, llamas, alpacas and vicuñas). Exporters and affiliated industries can apply for a login (Register).

The Department

References to 'the Department' in entries mean the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. References to 'a Departmental officer', unless specified otherwise, mean an officer of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment with responsibility under Australian export legislation.

Disclaimer

Micor is regularly updated; however, importing countries may change their requirements without notice and may not inform the Department. It is important that exporters check requirements directly with the relevant government authority of the importing country.

Where an importing country issues an import permit, the exporter must ensure the animal meets any requirements in the permit.