Date of issue: 25 July 2024
Date of effect: Immediate
Related MAAs: 2024-08, 2024-10, 2024-12, 2024-13, 2024-15, 2024-16, 2024-18, 2024-20, 2024-22, 2024-25
Attention
- Egg Exporters - Australian
- Egg Export establishments
- Licensed exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Central and Regional offices
This Market Access Advice (MAA) updates previous related MAAs which provided information on certification changes as a result of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This MAA also provides an update to import conditions for the export of poultry and poultry products to the Solomon Islands and for heat treated eggs to New Zealand.
Disease situation
Australia is continuing to respond to outbreaks of HPAI (H7 strain), which was first detected on a property in Victoria on 22 May 2024. As of 18 July 2024, HPAI (H7 strain) has now been detected on poultry properties in Victoria; New South Wales; and the Australian Capital Territory. Further information, including current control areas, can be found on the following websites:
- For information relating to VIC: Victorian Government Agriculture Department website
- For information relating to NSW: NSW Government Department of Primary Industries website
- For information relating to the ACT: Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate website
- For information additional information: Australian National Pest and Disease Outbreaks website
Certificate changes
Further to previous MAAs, some importing country requirements have changed in relation to HPAI. Please refer to bolded entries in Attachment 1 for certification that is now available via the department’s Export Documentation (EXDOC) system and NEXDOC, or via ASE.
For exporters that apply for a health certificate for these products through EXDOC or NEXDOC, the request for permit (RFP) must include the following exporter declaration:
The products in this consignment comply with sourcing provisions that meet the specific importing country requirements for avian influenza. This declaration is supported by records.
For electronic certificates, this declaration will need to be made via EXDOC and NEXDOC. For applications for manual certificates or veterinary declarations, the above declaration will need to be provided in writing on exporter/manufacturer letterhead to ASE when submitting the application.
Applications will be assessed based on all information and declarations provided. The department may need to seek further confirmation relating to this declaration before a certificate can be issued.
Important note prior to export: There are currently multiple control areas throughout Victoria, NSW and the ACT. More control areas may be established if there are further HPAI detections. It is the exporter’s responsibility to monitor and confirm control and restricted areas prior to export to ensure product meets importing country requirements. Information on current control areas can be found on the relevant state/territory government websites at the links provided in this MAA.
Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands has advised that poultry meat, poultry meat products, offal and eggs from Australia that have been sourced from 10km outside Control Areas are eligible for export to the Solomon Islands. Exporters must ensure that the products meet the requirements of a valid import permit. Please refer to the relevant jurisdiction websites for information regarding control areas.
For exporters who have sourced product from Victoria and hold a valid import permit that references sourcing requirements restricting product from Victoria, please contact the department via exportstandards@aff.gov.au prior to commencing an RFP.
New Zealand
New Zealand has confirmed that heat treated egg products sourced from outside Control Areas are eligible for export to New Zealand.
The department is continuing to work closely with industry to prioritise negotiations with key poultry and poultry product markets to minimise further trade disruptions. The department continues to engage key markets through its agricultural counsellor network to expedite these discussions. Updates will be provided in future MAAs.
The information provided above is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.
Download
Attachment 1 – Countries and products affected by occurrence of high pathogenicity avian influenza in Victoria, New South Wales, and ACT (PDF 323 KB)
Attachment 1 – Countries and products affected by occurrence of high pathogenicity avian influenza in Victoria, New South Wales, and ACT (DOCX 258 MB)
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