12 April 2018
Purpose
The purpose of this Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to remind exporters that they must ensure importing country requirements are met when exporting grain, seeds and plant products, including maximum residue limits.
Key points
- Japan has increased its testing regime on arrival for unprocessed barley from Australia following a detection of the fungicide azoxystrobin.
- Exporters must meet all importing country requirements when exporting grains, seeds or plant products. Exporters are required under the Export Control Act 1982 to prepare and present export compliant goods to an Authorised Officer at the time of inspection.
- Phytosanitary requirements for the export of plant products are listed in the department’s Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) system. If import permit details differ from MICoR, please send them through to the department’s Grain and Seed Export Program for assessment.
- Exporters are also responsible to ensure that goods prepared for export meet any quality parameters, pesticide residue or any other conditions required by the importing country.
- The department undertakes residue testing for all bulk grain consignments through the National Residue Survey, and recommends that all exporters ensure containerised product is tested for chemical residues prior to export.
- Exporters should undertake residue testing (or any other testing required) if they are unsure that their grain or plant products meet importing country requirements.
Background
The Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) announced on 3 April 2018 they had detected residues of the fungicide azoxystrobin in Australian barley, at five times the standard level permitted under Japan’s Food Sanitation Act.
Trace back identified that the contamination related to an 85 tonne containerised consignment of barley exported from Australia in August 2017.
Contact information
For more information on this IAN or to arrange a meeting with us, email the Grain Export Program or call us on 02 6272 3229.
Mr David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations