Date of issue: 23 June 2026
Date of effect: Immediate
Attention:
- Egg Exporters - Australian
- Egg Export establishments
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Central and Regional offices
This Market Access Advice (MAA) provides advice on poultry meat and poultry products (including egg and egg products) exported from Australia to Papua New Guinea (PNG).
On 19 June 2026, the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness confirmed the detection of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 HPAI) in a vagrant migratory seabird in Western Australia. Australia has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of this H5 detection in ‘non-poultry including wild birds’. The detection in wild birds does not change Australia’s current HPAI freedom status and we remain free from HPAI in poultry in accordance with WOAH international standards.
Despite this, on Monday 22 June 2026, PNG’s National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority’s (NAQIA) imposed a suspension on all poultry meat and poultry products (including egg and egg products) exported from Australia to PNG. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is actively engaging with PNG to resolve this issue.
Until further advice is received from PNG, Table 1 outlines the Australian export health certification that is unavailable for poultry meat and poultry products (including egg and egg products) produced on or after 22 June 2026.
| Product | Certificate template | Endorsement Number | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Table eggs for human consumption | EX46EG | Affects certification for all Australian product. | |
| Heat-treated poultry meat | EX174 | 3073 | Affects certification for all Australian product. |
| Petfood and inedible animal products containing poultry | E242A | N/A | Affects certification for all Australian product. |
| Non-mammalian meal including stock feeds containing non-mammalian rendered products | E242A | 3749 | Affects certification for all Australian product. |
| Mechanically deboned poultry meat (MDM) / Mechanically separated poultry meat (MSM) | EX174 | 3078 | Affects certification for all Australian product. |
| Uncooked poultry meat and poultry meat products that are not sourced from free range flocks (excluding MDM/MSM) | EX174 | 5694 | Affects certification for all Australian product. |
| Uncooked poultry meat and poultry meat products that are sourced from free range flocks (excluding MDM/MSM) | EX174 | 5309 | Affects certification for all Australian product. |
Distressed and detained consignments
Where import clearance issues are encountered for products produced before 22 June 2026, the department may assist to support facilitation through PNG customs; however, clearance of these products cannot be guaranteed. The department encourages exporters to work with their importer to ensure product meets current importing country requirements, to ensure that a valid permit has been obtained from NAQIA, and to manage any associated commercial risk.
Where the consignment is likely to be detained or is currently detained, exporters should contact exportstandards@aff.gov.au with the following information so the department can assist:
- Destination country
- Exporter (name/company)
- Consignee (name/company)
- RFP, REX number and issue date
- Import permit number and issue date
- Container number
- Seal number and seal date
- Product description
- Slaughter / packing dates
- Establishment name / number
- Establishment address
- Departure Date
- Health certificate number
- Official documentation from trading partner confirming details of the detainment
- Confirmation of where the product was sourced
- Any other relevant information.
Returned product
The department is also aware that some consignments will need to be returned to Australia. The department has detailed advice on returned meat and meat products on the department’s Returned meat and meat products page. If you require further assistance, please contact returnedexportfood@aff.gov.au.
If the goods being returned are egg and egg products, contact the Dairy, Eggs and Fish Program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.
The department will continue to provide updates to industry as more information becomes available and encourages all exporters to work with their importer to manage any commercial risk.
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 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.