Date of issue: 30 April 2009
Date of effect: Immediate
As foreshadowed in Market Access Advice FISH08/04, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (Rosselkhoznadzor) conducted an audit of Australian fish establishments in December 2008.
At the conclusion of the audit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on conditions for the export of fish and fish products from Australia to the Russian Federation was signed.
As a part of this MoU, vessels and cold stores audited by AQIS and deemed to comply with relevant Russian veterinary and sanitary requirements can be listed as eligible to export fish and fish products to the Russian Federation prior to being audited by Rosselkhoznadzor.
Land based processing establishments must be audited and approved by Rosselkhoznadzor before export eligibility for fish and fish products can be granted.
As in previous audits conducted by Rosselkhoznadzor, deviation from Russian regulations covering fish and fish products was not tolerated.
During the 2008 audit, the Russian auditors were particularly sensitive to the following requirements:
- A process flow chart demonstrating how the potential for cross-contamination is minimised, detailing:
a) the flow of product through the establishment from receipt of raw product to dispatch of finished product
b) the flow of staff
c) the flow of packaging and
d) the flow of waste.
- A designated area provided for waste bins in the processing areas and a designated external area provided for bulk waste bins in surrounds.
- Cleaning equipment to be labelled as such and, where possible, a separate area to conduct cleaning of processing utensils and bins.
- Control of condensation to minimise build up on walls and ceilings in processing areas.
- Footbaths at entrances to processing areas.
- Exposed pipes and cables on walls in processing areas to be enclosed where possible.
- Designated area for the cleaning of vehicles which has an impermeable surface with adequate drainage and water supply.
AQIS is currently developing a series of guidelines which establishments must comply with before they can apply to AQIS for approval to be listed with the Russian Federation. AQIS approval will be based on the outcome of an audit to verify industry compliance.
Lynda Feazey
Food Exports Policy Section
Animal Products Market Access Branch