Date of issue: 25 February 2025
Date of effect: Immediate
Reference Number: MAA 2025-07
Related MAAs: MAA 2024-08, MAA 2024-10, MAA 2024-12, MAA 2024-13, MAA 2024-15, MAA 2024-16, MAA 2024-18, MAA 2024-20, MAA 2024-22, MAA 2024-25, MAA 2024-26, MAA 2024-29, MAA 2024-30, MAA 2024-32, MAA 2024-35, MAA 2024-40, 2024-47, 2025-03, 2025-04, MAA 2025-05
This Market Access Advice (MAA) updates MAA 2025-05 issued on 18 February 2025 which provided an update on certification changes for export of poultry meat and poultry products (including table eggs) to Vanuatu. This MAA provides an update on certification changes for export of poultry meat and poultry products to multiple markets.
Market updates
The department has advised the following markets that trade will resume from outside of the control area in some poultry meat and poultry products (including eggs) from 25 February 2025, following the 2025 HPAI outbreak in Victoria. Further to this, the department advises that all 2024 HPAI Control Areas in Victoria, NSW and ACT are resolved as of 23 January 2025, and that trade of poultry meat and poultry products (including eggs) can resume for products sourced within these areas where importing country requirements permit for the following markets:
- Brunei
- Macau
- Namibia
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Palau
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
Sri Lanka
The department has contacted Sri Lanka’s competent authority to advise them that all 2024 HPAI Control Areas in Victoria, NSW and ACT are resolved as of 23 January 2025. The department advises that trade of heat treated egg powder to Sri Lanka that complies with endorsement EX46EG and 6455 can resume from outside of the state of Victoria as of 25 February 2025.
Certification changes
Affected certificates and products are outlined in the table provided at Attachment 1, updates from the previous MAA are bolded.
The department notes that product sourced from other species may also be affected. Where exporters consider their product meets importing country requirements, they may contact the department via the EXDOC Help Desk by emailing exdoc.helpdesk@aff.gov.au (for meat and inedible meat products), or nexdoc@aff.gov.au (for eggs, skins and hides) to discuss the process for applying for certification. For example, this may be where slaughter/packing dates predate 20 January 2025 (one incubation period prior to date of 3 February 2025 (day 0)) for particular markets.
The department is continuing to work closely with trading partners to advise of the new detection and will be looking to reinstate trade with priority markets as soon as possible. Updates will be provided in future Market Access Advice notifications.
For exporters that apply for health certificates that have specific sourcing provisions, the following exporter declaration must be included in your application through the department’s Export Documentation (EXDOC) system, Next Export Documentation (NEXDOC) system or when making a manual application via Assessment Services or the EXDOC/NEXDOC Helpdesk:
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.
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: It is the establishments/exporter’s responsibility to monitor and confirm control and restricted areas prior to export to ensure product meets importing country requirements. Changes to the Control Area or additional Control Areas may be established if there are further HPAI detections. Information on current control area can be found on the relevant state/territory government websites. Visit the Agriculture Victoria website for more information.
For information around distressed and detained consignments and returned product, please refer to MAA 2025-04.
The Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) will be updated to reflect this Market Access Advice. The department encourages users of Micor to subscribe to the Micor update service for a commodity-specific email that lists changes that have been made in the preceding week.
The department encourages all exporters to work with their importer to ensure that product meets the current importing country requirements.
Download
Attachment 1 – countries and products affected by occurrence of high pathogenicity avian influenza (PDF 505 KB)
Attachment 1 – countries and products affected by occurrence of high pathogenicity avian influenza (DOCX 277 MB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
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.