Date of issue: 25 June 2021
Date of effect: Immediate
Attention:
- Export registered fish establishments.
- Audit and Assurance Group.
- Audit and Assurance Group Auditors.
Purpose
To advise occupiers of a confirmed outbreak of AVG in Victoria and the various control orders and fishing restrictions that have been put into place by State Regulatory Authorities in NSW, VIC and SA as a response to the outbreak (see further information below.
To remind occupiers of export registered fish establishments of their obligations to notify the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) if you have diseased fish or fish that are suspected of being diseased at your establishment.
Notification and obligations of occupiers under export legislation
The Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021 requires:
- If the occupier of a registered establishment is aware that fish or fish products at the establishment are, or are derived from, fish that is affected by or is suspected of being affected by a notifiable disease, they must notify an authorised officer of the department immediately after becoming aware.
- If the occupier gives verbal notification in accordance with the above, they must, as soon as practicable after giving the notification, give written notification to the department via email dairyeggsfish@awe.gov.au
- Fish must not be prepared for export as food if, at the time of harvest, the fish are dead.
- Fish or fish products must not be prepared for export as food if a condition or disease is likely to affect the fitness for human consumption.
- Fish or fish products must be sourced from establishment with disease management controls that ensure that only healthy fish are taken for food.
What happens when you notify the department you have diseased or potentially diseased fish at your establishment?
Do not deal with the fish or fish products further for export as food without the written approval of an authorised officer from the department.
State government information about AVG
Detailed information in relation to the detection of AVG and restrictions put in place by state government authorities can be found at:
- South Australia: Department of Primary Industries and Regions
- Victoria: Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
- New South Wales: Department of Primary Industries
Further information
Contact dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au if you have any questions regarding this notice.