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Export advisory notice 2021-22 PDF
Attention
- All
Purpose
To advise all stakeholders that the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has published the 2021 update of the ASEL, ASEL 3.2.
Key points
- ASEL 3.2 is available at https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/controlled-goods/live-animals/livestock/australian-standards-livestock
- Where possible, ASEL 3.2 incorporates changes that reflect stakeholder feedback received since the introduction of ASEL 3.0 in November 2020.
- A tracked version of ASEL 3.2 showing changes made and information on the ASEL 3.2 update process, including stakeholder submissions and the department’s response to feedback, is available at https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/controlled-goods/live-animals/livestock/australian-standards-livestock/reviews-updates.
- We encourage all users of the ASEL to review ASEL 3.2.
- Information webinars will be held in November 2021 to inform industry and departmental staff of the changes and provide an opportunity for questions. Interested stakeholders may attend these webinars by emailing aselreview@awe.gov.au
- Exporters and Registered Establishment Occupiers are expected to incorporate changes in ASEL 3.2 into their approved arrangements and operations manuals and may do so from the date of publishing. They will not be required to submit a variation to the department. However, the department will check that the changes have been incorporated and are compliant with the ASEL at the time of the next variation submission.
- No changes, other than to reflect the updates in ASEL 3.2, are permitted without making an application for a variation to your operations manual, registration or approved arrangement with the department.
Background
The department committed to monitoring the operation of the ASEL to consider updates to the standards on an annual basis, following a recommendation from the 2018 Review of the regulatory capability of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in the regulation of live animal exports (Moss review).
The 2021 update to the ASEL focused on reducing ambiguity and improving readability and usability. Key changes include:
- clarification of definitions, certification requirements, segregation of animals
- expanded use of approved blood tests in pregnancy diagnosis
- more flexibility in pen space and record-keeping for sheep in registered establishments
- more flexibility in penning animals together
- addition of notification requirement for loading of foreign fodder
- more flexibility in allocating crate space for livestock exported by air
- removal of redundant standards.
Complex issues raised that were not able to be addressed in this update have been recorded and will be prioritised for separate review processes starting in 2022. The department will seek stakeholder involvement when considering these issues, which include:
- marking and isolation of rejected livestock
- registered establishment requirements for buffalo
- clear days requirements (days spent in registered establishment)
- housing and management of sheep in registered establishments
- requirements for reporting
- implementation of ammonia monitoring and stock handlers on aircraft.
Kelly Porter
Director
Animal Welfare Branch
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Nicolas Rush
Contact officer
Phone: 02 5156 5823
Email: aselreview@awe.gov.au