29 October 2026
Who does this notice affect?
Importers and brokers who have imported or plan to import goods containing or derived from foot- and-mouth disease (FMD)-susceptible species (including cattle, sheep, pigs, deer, giraffe, elephants, camelids (alpacas, llamas and camel) to Australia from Hungary or Slovakia.
What has changed?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has completed a biosecurity risk assessment and a detailed technical evaluation of the FMD status of both Hungary and Slovakia and is satisfied that both countries are now free from FMD. Hungary and Slovakia have now been added to the Director of Biosecurity’s FMD-Free Country List and other relevant commodity-specific lists. These changes take effect for Hungary from 10 September 2025 and for Slovakia from 31 October 2025.
Importers may now import goods containing or derived from FMD-susceptible species that were fully finished and/or exported from Hungary and Slovakia before 3 February 2025 or sourced from and/or manufactured in Hungary on or after 10 September 2025, or in Slovakia on or after 31 October 2025 where all other import conditions are met. Biosecurity import permits will specify any evidence required to demonstrate this.
Important note: Restrictions remain in place on the import of goods containing or derived from FMD-susceptible species sourced from and/or manufactured in Hungary from 3 February 2025 until 10 September 2025 and from Slovakia from 3 February 2025 until 31 October 2025, unless alternative risk management measures are in place.
Importers should refer to their biosecurity import permit or the Biosecurity (Conditionally Non-Prohibited Goods) Determination 2021 for relevant import conditions for their goods.
Further information
Information about FMD and further information about the trade situation with Hungary and Slovakia can be found on the department’s website.
Please contact the department by phone 1800 900 090 or email to imports@aff.gov.au if you have any questions.