Please see the latest information regarding activities being undertaken as part of the imported prawn suspension:
Crumbed, Battered and Breaded Prawn Inspections:
- The sampling processes for crumbed, battered and breaded prawn inspections requires the biosecurity officer to sample 10 prawns from each product type in the consignment ie: if the consignment consists of a single line of product the 10 prawns will be sampled from that line; if there are 4 lines then 40 prawns will be sampled, 8 - 80 etc. Product is viewed in a frozen and thawed state. Product is thawed to room temperature for the thawed component of the inspection.
- Below are some key areas that will be considered by a biosecurity officer during the inspection, noting that the purpose of the inspection is to assess whether the product is a genuine crumbed, breaded or battered product.
- Coating coverage – Does the coating sufficiently cover the product (in its frozen state) or are patches of raw prawn meat readily visible? It is noted that some patchiness is acceptable if it is caused by biosecurity officers when separating frozen prawns – this process may pull off coating leaving exposed prawn meat.
- Consistency of the coating – When thawed does the coating naturally adhere to the prawn or does it run off under its own weight? If the latter is the case this may raise concerns.
- Variation of product within samples – For example, different coloured coatings on prawns from the same product line may raise concerns.
- Do the samples concord with previous information supplied to the department – The samples may be compared to photos supplied at the time of permit assessment. It is important that photos supplied at the time of permit assessment realistically show the product as it will appear when the department inspects it.
- Please note that this information is based on the department's experience with inspections of crumbed, breaded and battered product to date. It is not exhaustive and other factors may be considered if they are deemed to indicate that the product is not a genuine highly processed product.
Biosecurity (Suspended Goods – Uncooked Prawns) Amendment (Exceptions) Determination (No.3) 2017:
- The department advised in an Industry Advice Notice on 5 April 2017, that permit applications for Australian prawns processed overseas will be accepted 4 weeks from the registration of Amendment (Exceptions) Determination (No.3) 2007. This date relies on assurance that competent authorities in re-exporting countries can comply with the new import conditions.
- The department continues to consult with trading partners to agree to ways in which they can provide assurance that they can meet the import conditions.
- The department will provide further communication when eligible countries are established and when permit applications can be made. Please see link below for further information:
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/industry-advice/2017/45-2017
Management options for raw imported prawns held at Approved Arrangements:
- Information on the department's website provides more information about the management options available for prawns currently held under biosecurity control including at cold stores and at Approved Arrangement sites. Prawns that test positive for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) must be either exported, disposed of, or cooked.
- The following fact sheets include additional information about the disposal and cooking of raw prawns:
Update to the biosecurity risk review of prawn products and pathways:
- The department is continuing to work through assessments (for amendments to the Determination) for:
- marinated prawns (including wet and dry marinades, skewered, butterflied and retail-ready products).
- Interim risk management measures are being assessed for their application to the above products. The measures under consideration include the department seeking additional health attestations from exporting countries that exported prawns are free of WSSV and YHV. Offshore risk management measures may be verified through increased inspection and testing on arrival in Australia.
Direction to manage biosecurity risks:
- The department continues to work with Biosecurity Industry Participants (BIPs) to manage the potential biosecurity risk of secured uncooked prawns held at an Approved Arrangement site.
- The department is continuing inspections and is contacting relevant parties to arrange inspections. The department is aiming to finalise the inspection and sampling process within the coming weeks.
- As part of this process the goods are being brought back under biosecurity control while the risk assessment is taking place. Both brokers and BIPs will receive notification and directions relating to this testing.
- If you have received a direction and have any questions please email prawnimports@agriculture.gov.au.
- If you have received an invoice for costs associated with the inspection and sampling of secured product and you do not believe the charges should be invoiced to you, please advise our accounts receivable and debt management section at ARHelpdesk@agriculture.gov.au and inform them of the details of the correct billing party. The AR Helpdesk will be able to amend the billing information on the invoice and redirect to the company directly:
- Please provide the following information when contacting the AR Helpdesk: details of the billing party including their name, address and contact details.
Have you received an inspection direction?
- Brokers and importers are encouraged to contact the department to book inspections or to organise exports for consignments that have been directed for inspection. This will assist in reducing delays and assist the department with planning inspection activities.
- To book, please contact the Client Contact Group on 1800 900 090.
- If you or your broker have received an inspection direction as a result of the letter from the department placing the goods back under biosecurity control, a departmental representative from the inspections services group will be in contact with you in the next week or so to arrange a time for the inspection and sampling for the goods that are on hold. You do not need to call the department to arrange an inspection.
Inspection Requirements:
- Biosecurity Industry Participants need to be aware of the following prior to Biosecurity Officers attending their premises to conduct inspection and sampling of goods:
- For import inspections such as breaded, battered and crumbed, container seals must remain intact. The officers will remove the seal and verify.
- Two officers will attend most inspections.
- Fee for service rates will apply for each officer.
- Expected duration of inspection is a minimum of two hours, however, it may be longer depending on quantity to be inspected, the number of batches to be sampled, etc.
- An adequate safe inspection area is required during cargo deconsolidation, inspection and sampling.
- Additional labour to assist officers with handling cartons during the inspection should be considered. Please note: officers will be present for the entire duration of the unpack and charges apply for the total time taken.
- The importer is responsible for all transport costs prior to and after inspection, including cargo handling, additional labour and cold storage fees.
Export Procedures:
- Biosecurity Industry Participants need to be aware of the following requirements when they have elected to have the goods exported:
- Departmental officers will supervise the export of all uncooked prawn products, including any breaded, battered or crumbed product, where the importer has elected to export the goods as their treatment option.
- For goods that remain in the container they were imported in and have not been unpacked, an officer will verify the details and the seal number match the import documentation and the seal is intact prior to the goods being exported.
- For goods that are being packed for export a departmental officer will need to be in attendance for the duration the container is being packed. The officer will verify the details of the goods being packed into the container and that a seal has been applied to the container prior to the goods being exported.
- Two officers may be required when the goods are packed into a container.
- Fee for service rates will apply for each officer.
- Expected duration for a seal check will be a minimum of thirty minutes.
- Expected duration for the packing of a container is expected to be 2 hours, however, it may be longer. Please note: officers will be present for the entire duration of the pack and charges apply for the total time taken to complete the packing and seal the container.
- An adequate safe inspection area is required during the cargo packing operations.
- The importer is responsible for all transport costs prior to and after inspection, including cargo handling, additional labour and cold storage fees.
- To request an appointment complete the request for inspection form and email it to the department in the location where the cargo is held.
- The Request for permission to dispose of goods/conveyance form must be completed
- Please contact the Client Contact Group on 1800 900 090 to book an inspection.
Enhanced measures for goods in transit:
- The enhanced inspection and testing regime for product that was in transit to Australia or had not cleared biosecurity control when the suspension took effect, is now complete.
Useful links
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/uncooked-prawns
http://www.outbreak.gov.au/current-responses-to-outbreaks/white-spot-disease
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/animal-industries/animal-health-and-diseases/a-z-list/white-spot-disease/use-of-bait-prawns
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/animal/aquatic/aquavetplan/white-spot
Biosecurity (Suspended Goods – Uncooked Prawns) Determination 2017: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00034
To view the 3 previous amendments to the suspension, click 'details' then expand the 'Unincorporated Amendments' or follow the links below:
Please feel free to forward this email to your members or other interested parties.
If you received a forwarded copy of this email and would like to be included on the mailing list please send your name, organisation, email address and contact number to prawnliaisonofficer@agriculture.gov.au
Kind regards
Victoria
Victoria Dennis
Prawn Liaison Officer
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
Hotline: 1800 068 468
Email: prawnliaisonofficer@agriculture.gov.au