10 December 2024
Who does this notice affect?
Importers of chicken and egg products for human consumption from New Zealand.
Importers of avian derived goods for a laboratory end use
Importers of live birds and hatching eggs
What has changed?
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ MPI) has notified the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) that HPAI has been detected on a farm in New Zealand. Due to the detection, New Zealand can no longer claim to be free from HPAI. NZ MPI have advised that they will no longer provide health certification for any products for export to Australia that require country freedom from HPAI.
Impacted goods due to outbreak of HPAI in New Zealand
- Chicken meat for human consumption:
Chicken meat from New Zealand processed after 25 October 2024 must be heat treated to a core temperature of 70°C for at least 1 minute. This heat treatment is known to mitigate the risk of HPAI. Chicken meat products that are not heat treated in accordance with these parameters are unlikely to be permitted entry into Australia. The are no impacts on existing import permits for chicken meat products for human consumption as these already allow for heat treated product to be imported. - Egg products for human consumption:
Egg and egg products from NZ must meet the thermal heat treatments required for eggs and egg products from all countries. This heat treatment is different from the usual requirements and any imported egg product heat treated to a core temperature of 70°C for at least 8.2 minutes must be accompanied by an import permit. This heat treatment is known to mitigate the risk of HPAI. Egg products not heat treated to a core temperature of 70°C for at least 8.2 minutes are unlikely to be permitted entry into Australia. - Avian material for laboratory end use:
The department will be removing permit conditions requiring health certification stating that New Zealand is free from highly pathogenic avian influenza. This change will not negatively affect trade relationships between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand will also remain on the department’s list of countries approved for avian fluids and tissues. The department will contact impacted permit holders directly with further information. - Live birds and hatching eggs
Outbreaks of HPAI may mean it is not possible to comply with the conditions for import of hatching eggs and live birds into Australian territory. The are no impacts on existing import permits for live birds and hatching eggs, but assessment of new permit applications for permits may be affected.
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
DAFF is currently working with NZ MPI to effectively manage the risks posed by HPAI in imported goods.
DAFF will contact individual import permit holders to advise them on ongoing arrangements for their import permits.
Further information
For further information please refer to the relevant BICON case for each commodity. Alternatively, contact the Animal and Biological Imports Branch on 1800 900 090 (prompt 1, prompt 1) or via email at imports@aff.gov.au.
For further information relating to Live birds and hatching eggs, please contact the Horse, Livestock and Bird Imports program at avianimports@aff.gov.au