29 July 2024
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry that the department has commenced public consultation on options to reform export assurance for non-prescribed goods through a Have Your Say survey.
Summary of changes and key points
- The Have Your Say survey opens on 29 July and closes on 6 September 2024.
- https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/export-assurance-reform
Background
The Australian Government is working to reform its export assurance framework. This will address three key issues affecting in the export of non-prescribed goods (NPGs). These issues have been validated through consultations with industry and are as follows:
- Importing countries require more assurances – Australian exporters operate within a landscape of ever-changing importing country requirements, which are increasing in number and complexity. For certain NPGs, importing countries now expect a higher level of government oversight than our export legislation requires.
- Cost recovery is not appropriately attributed to where the costs originate – The current legislative framework creates a single charge point with a certificate. It does not reflect the time and cost to the department of undertaking administrative activities and providing services to assure trading partners. This single charge point also imposes the full cost of the assurance system onto the applicant for a certificate, rather than charging at points throughout the supply chain for services provided.
- Unsustainable administrative processes – The process used for exporting NPG products has become complicated and unsustainable alongside the growth of NPG industries. Reform is needed to put a new system in place that can handle the size of NPG industries and the importing country requirements now and in the future.
The department has previously consulted with industry on issues affecting the export of NPGs in March-May 2023, and on options to solve the problem in April 2024.
An Export Assurance Industry Reform Committee has been formed, comprising members from NPG industry associations. Members can provide feedback on the options paper and proposed reforms directly to these organisations.
The following organisations are members of the IRC:
- Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors
- Australian Hide, Skin and Leather Exporters Association
- Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
- Australian Renderers Association
- Feed Ingredients and Additives Association Australia
- Pet Food Industry Association of Australia
- Stock Feed Manufacturers’ Council of Australia.
The Export Assurance Industry Reform Committee have reviewed the options paper ahead of its public release.
The Have Your Say survey is open until 6 September 2024 and available online at https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/export-assurance-reform
For more information and more information and full details visit the department’s website at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/controlled-goods/non-prescribed-goods/export-assurance-reform.
Contact information
Please email the Export Assurance Reform team (npgreform@aff.gov.au) if you have any questions.
Joffrid Mackett
Assistant Secretary
Residues and Food Branch
Exports and Veterinary Services Division
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.