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 of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (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 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 (Live Animals) sets out the known importing country requirements that Australian exporters must comply with to export live animals and reproductive material.
Users do not need a login to see importing country requirements for non-livestock species, including dogs, cats and other companion animals, and reproductive material.
If you wish to see importing country requirements for cattle, sheep, goats, deer, buffalo and camelids users must apply for a login in the grey box at the right of the screen. Applications received are then reviewed by the department to determine whether access will be granted.
Micor is regularly updated; however, importing countries may change their requirements without notice and may not inform the Department. For this reason, it is important that exporters check requirements directly with the relevant government authority of the importing country.
Exporters must also comply with
Australian export legislation, More information about export requirements for live animals and reproductive material is available at the Support link at the top right of this page.
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 Department with responsibility under Australian export legislation.