18 November 2024
Who does this notice affect?
Importers of dairy and beef for human consumption from Japan.
Importers of bovine fluid and tissue samples for laboratory research from Japan.
What has changed?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been notified of an outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Japan. The department no longer recognises Japan as free from LSD.
Impacted goods include:
- Dairy that is sourced, manufactured or exported from Japan
- Fresh beef from Japan
- bovine fluid and tissue samples for laboratory research
Japanese authorities have voluntarily suspended exports of beef and dairy to Australia.
For goods that are currently in transit to Australia
The department will assess these goods on a case-by-case basis, and if the biosecurity risk can be effectively managed, the goods can be released.
If you experience clearance issues, please contact imports@aff.gov.au for assistance.
Future biosecurity arrangements
The department is liaising with Japan to negotiate new health certification for beef and dairy products following the change to Japan’s LSD status. It is expected that new certification will be bilaterally agreed over the coming week. Until this process is finalised Japan has advised that they will not permit the export of beef and dairy to Australia.
DAFF will contact individual import permit holders shortly to advise them on ongoing arrangements for their import permits.
Further information
For further information please contact the Animal and Biological Imports Branch on 1800 900 090 (prompt 1, prompt 1) or via email at imports@aff.gov.au.