Fish 2014-10 - Revised halal requirements for aquaculture products exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

​Date of Issue: 16 May 2014

Date of Effect: Immediate

Affected Markets: UAE

This Market Access Advice (MAA) replaces MAA 2014-08.

Changes to import requirements for aquaculture seafood

The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water has advised the Department of Agriculture (the department) of changes to their halal import requirements for all aquaculture seafood. However, following representation by the department, these requirements no longer apply to bivalve molluscs (see below for further detail).

The department understands that, from July 2014, aquaculture seafood (excluding bivalve molluscs) may need to be accompanied by a halal certificate issued by a halal certification body approved by the UAE.

Pending formal introduction of these halal certification requirements, UAE authorities have advised that they will accept a statement, issued or notarised by an approved halal certification body, which declares that the products have not been fed porcine animal protein or any other animal protein except marine protein excluding marine protein from the same species.

In preparation for the implementation of the halal certification requirements, exporters are encouraged to approach their closest state or territory halal certification body to discuss the process of becoming halal certified. For reference, a list of certification bodies currently approved to provide halal certification for red meat can be found at Attachment 1.

Please note that the department is not responsible for issuing halal certification. These documents can only be issued by an approved halal certification body. As these bodies may only have approval for certifying red meat, exporters should ensure that the organisation they choose to use has been approved by UAE authorities to certify seafood products.

Please be advised that any shipments of aquaculture seafood not accompanied by the appropriate halal documentation may be detained on arrival in the UAE. The department will not be able to assist in facilitating clearance of any shipments detained for this reason.

Bivalve molluscs

The department has received confirmation from the UAE that bivalve molluscs harvested from the natural environment are exempt from the animal protein feeding requirements. As such, all farmed bivalve molluscs harvested from aquaculture leases located in a marine environment can be exported to the UAE without an accompanying halal certificate or statement.

To export bivalve molluscs, use a FX46 certificate with endorsement 5116 This endorsement states:

The bivalve molluscs were not fed any manufactured feeds.

Facilitation letters for bivalve molluscs to the UAE will no longer be issued.

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.

Attachment 1 (information correct at 28 March 2014)

* a – removal of listing as of April 2011
* b – removal of listing as of 28 December 2011
* c – removal of listing as of 18 January 2013
* d – removal of listing as of 1 April 2013
* e – removal of listing as of 26 March 2013
* f - removal of listing as of 15 July 2013
* g – removal of listing as of 17 September 2013
* h – removal of listing as of 06 December 2013
* i – removal of listing as of 06 December 2013
* j – removal of listing as of 06 December 2013 

Islamic Organisation	Markets with specific listing requirements						All other markets that require a halal certificate
	Indonesia	Malaysia	Saudi Arabia	Singapore	United Arab Emirates	Qatar
Adelaide Mosque Islamic Society of South Australia ADELAIDE SA 5000	*e
Al-Iman Islamic Society COLLINGWOOD VIC 3066		Exp: 31/12/14
Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Inc ZETLAND NSW 2015	NSW only	*f
Australian Halal Authority and Advisers BROADMEADOWS VIC 3047	*g	Exp: 31/12/14
Australian Halal Food Services SPRINGWOOD QLD 4127	*d	*f		*h
Global Halal Trade Centre Pty Ltd PRESTON VIC 3072
Halal Australia Pty Ltd AUBURN NSW 2144		*c
Halal Certification Authority-Australia SYDNEY NSW 2001
Halal Certification Council SPRINGWOOD QLD 4127	QLD only
Halal Meat Board of Western Australia MOUNT LAWLEY WA 6050
Halal-Sadiq Services DIANELLA WA 6059	*a	*b
Halal Supervisory Board of South Australia for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ADELAIDE SA 5000
Islamic Association of Geraldton GERALDTON WA 6530
Islamic Association of Katanning KATANNING WA 6317	* a		*i
Islamic Coordinating Council of Victoria EAST BRUNSWICK VIC 3057	VIC only
Islamic Council of Western Australia BURSWOOD WA 6100	* a	* c		*j
Perth Mosque Incorporated MOUNT LAWLEY WA 6050	* a	Exp: 31/12/14
Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meat in Australia Inc AUBURN NSW 2144	NSW only
Western Australia Halal Authority MADDINGTON WA 6109	NT & WA only
Australian Halal Development and Accreditation BRISBANE QLD 4105

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.