Date of Issue: 6 July 2010
Date of Effect:6 July 2010
Country: European Union
The European Commission (EC) has amended Regulation (EC) No 854/2004, with regard to official controls required for the export of marine gastropods that are not filter feeders, e.g. abalone. Specifically, under Commission Regulation (EU) No 505/2010, the EC have excluded marine gastropods, which are not filter feeders, from the provisions on the classification of production. This change follows scientific progress which demonstrates that the risk of non filter-feeding gastropods in accumulating microorganisms related to faecal contamination is remote. This change is further supported by the fact that no data has been reported which links where marine gastropods are harvested with public health risks. In line with the amended EC regulation, providing all other export requirements are met including verifying safety of the product for export, non filter-feeding gastropods harvested outside of classified production areas will be eligible for export to the EU from 5 July 2010.
Approved Arrangements (AA)
All AQIS registered and EU listed land based establishments and vessels which undertake processing, as defined in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Orders 2005 are eligible to export to non-filter feeding gastropods including abalone to the EU. Amendments to your AA to include requirements for the EU as an export destination may be required – please discuss with your local inspector.
Biotoxin Testing
For non-filter feeding gastropods to be eligible for export to the EU, product must be tested to verify food safety. This includes microbiological testing to verify effectiveness of HACCP process controls and testing for biotoxins to verify source of the product.
- Product directed for testing is to be sampled at the end of the manufacturing process.
- The required testing frequency is once per year as a minimum or once every 10 consignments and whenever there are indications, such as severe storms and algal blooms that increase the potential risk of sourcing products with biotoxin contamination.
- Biotoxin testing methodology for non filter-feeding gastropods (both non-viable and live product), is the same as is required for bivalve molluscs. For more information on biotoxin testing methodology requirements, please refer to Market Access Advice FISH 10/07.
- In accordance with this requirement, AQIS encourages all Australian laboratories wishing to undertake biotoxin testing for product to be exported the European Union to contact Slava Zeman on 02 6272 5027 to discuss the development and correct application of validated testing methodology.
- Alternatively, accredited laboratories in New Zealand which undertake LCMS techniques, which have been appropriately validated through IANZ for the range of biotoxins of concern to the EU, may be used for Australian testing purposes.
Catch Certification
Please note, for product harvested on or after 1 July 2010, export consignments will need to be accompanied by a catch certificate attesting that the product has not been sourced in an illegal, unregulated or unreported manner. For more information on catch certification requirements, please refer to Market Access Advice FISH09/10 and Market Access Advice FISH09/11.
Lynda Feazey
Export Standards Branch
The information provided above is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.