7 September 2015
This Biosecurity Advice informs stakeholders that the Department of Agriculture has reviewed the 2003 policy on stockfeed with regard to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Stockfeed imports will be able to continue under the revised policy. The revised policy will be taken into account by decision makers when considering import permit applications for stockfeed in accordance with the Quarantine Act 1908 and Quarantine Proclamation 1998 as amended, effective from 7 September 2015.
The Department of Agriculture has reviewed the policy on Importation of Stockfeed and Stockfeed Ingredients – Finalised Risk Management Measures for Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) 2003.
The review took into account current scientific information including:
- the World Animal Health Organisation (the OIE)’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code, in particular on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE);
- testing methods for restricted animal material (RAM) that have been endorsed by Australia’s Animal Health Committee;
- Australia’s TSE veterinary therapeutics policy (2012).
The revised policy provides a more practical approach and greater clarity on the TSE risk category of the various stockfeed products using a risk matrix that incorporates import assessment requirements of desk audits, sites inspections and product testing for RAM.
The revised policy is available at agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos.
Dr Andrew Cupit
Assistant Secretary
Animal Biosecurity