Dairy products for human consumption

We have completed the draft report of the import risk review for dairy products for human consumption.

Steps to complete this risk analysis

When we do a risk analysis, we:

• start the risk analysis by reviewing the science on pests and diseases of concern
• assess and analyse biosecurity risks
• develop proposed risk management measures
• consult the public on the draft report and then review comments
• publish a final report
• develop import conditions
• publish import conditions in our Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON)

Make a submission

We have now released a draft report for public comment.

You are invited to:

• read the draft report
• submit your feedback through Have Your Say.

The department has extended the 60-day public consultation period. Submissions close on 14 April 2023.

Have Your Say

Consultation Webinar

On 1 March 2023, the department held a webinar to discuss the draft report and answer questions. If you missed it, you can view a recorded version.

You can also download a transcript of the presentation and question and answer session.

Questions

Following the release of the draft report, the department received many questions about the import risk review for dairy products for human consumption. As not all questions could be answered during the webinar, please see the document below for responses to submitted questions.

About the draft report

This review aims to modernise Australia’s dairy import conditions to reflect the current and future trading environment. It considers the biosecurity risks associated with importing (from any country) dairy products for human consumption manufactured from milk obtained from domestic cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats. It takes into account new and relevant scientific information, international standards, relevant changes in industry practices and operational practicalities.

The draft report details:

• diseases of biosecurity concern for this commodity
• risk assessments for the identified diseases of biosecurity concern.

The diseases that need specific risk management measures are:

• foot-and-mouth disease
• lumpy skin disease
• sheep pox and goat pox
• peste des petits ruminants
• scrapie

Proposed risk management measures for these diseases include:

• minimum requirements for dairy products
• expanded risk management options for countries not recognised by the department as free from foot-and-mouth disease and/or lumpy skin disease and/or sheep pox and goat pox
• addition of risk management measures for peste des petits ruminants virus in imported dairy products (except for cheese) of ovine and/or caprine origin.

Frequently asked questions

We have prepared a summary of questions in a ‘Frequently asked questions’ document that relate to aspects of the review that stakeholders have frequently asked about.

Next steps

Our public consultation will close on 14 April 2023.

After this we will:

• consider all feedback
• develop a final report.

We will then release the final report and publish any new import conditions on BICON. Register in BICON to receive an alert when we publish the import conditions.

Register as a stakeholder

Register as a stakeholder to receive notices about animal biosecurity policy.

Contact us

For more information about this review email Animal Biosecurity.

Learn

Learn more about why we carry out risk analyses and our international obligations.