2014-06 - Changes to requirements for registration of some export registered fish establishments

​​Date of notice: 30 September 2014
Date of effect: 1 October 2014

This notice applies to export registered vessels and fish establishments.

Key change

As of 1 October 2014, catchers and harvesters of fish who freeze and/or salt product for direct transfer to registered export establishments for further processing will no longer need to be registered with the Department of Agriculture (the Department).

Registration remains a requirement for establishments (including vessels) that prepare fish products that are intended to be directly exported under your registration number.

The changes to export legislation will not alter compliance with requirements of any ​​other state, territory or Commonwealth laws.

Background

Current legislation allows registered establishments to source fish for export from unregistered catcher boats and certain unregistered land based establishments (i.e. aquaculture farms), provided the fish are only minimally processed. Minimal processing means the following: caught or harvested, killed (other than shucking shellfish), bled, gilled, headed, gutted, sorted, graded, washed, chilled and iced for transport.

The Department reviewed freezing and salting at the point of harvest or capture and has determined these low risk activities can be considered minimal processing and are therefore activities that can be done by unregistered establishments.

From 1 October 2014, The Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Orders 2005 have been amended by adding freezing and salting of fish to the activities that can be conducted by catcher boats and certain land based processors (i.e. aquaculture farms) that are not required to be registered.

2014-15 Registration charges

Invoices for the 2014-15 financial year registration have been delayed pending assessment of applications for the small exporter rebate. Invoices will now be issued in early November for payment within 28 days. For further information see Industry Advice Notice 2014–05.

Establishments that request to deregister due to the above legislative change will only be required to pay registration for part of the year that the establishment was required to be registered. Requests to de-register should be received prior to 30 October 2014 to enable invoicing for the correct amount. De-registration requests must be made by someone listed as management and control of the establishment.

Requests for deregistration can be sent to e-mailed to Dairy Eggs and Fish or by mail to:

Dairy, Eggs and Fish Export Program
Department of Agriculture
GPO Box 858
Canberra 2601 ACT

Further information

Further enquiries can be made by e-mailing Dairy Eggs and Fish or by contacting your local Department of Agriculture Food Safety Auditor. A frequently asked questions sheet is available.