Raw Prawn Update #22

Friday, May 5, 2017

Additional Assistance for Queensland Prawn Farmers:

On 5 May 2017 the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, the Hon Barnaby Joyce, announced additional assistance of up to $20 million for Queensland prawn farmers affected by the recent outbreak of white spot disease. Please see link below to the media release for more information:

http://minister.agriculture.gov.au/joyce/Pages/Media-Releases/Coalition-Government-delivers-$20-million-to-assist-prawn-farmers.aspx

 

Biosecurity (Suspended Goods – Uncooked Prawns) Amendment (Exceptions) Determination (No.3) 2017

  • On 3 April 2017, the Director of Biosecurity signed the Biosecurity (Suspended Goods – Uncooked Prawns) Amendment (Exceptions) Determination (No.3) 2017 (Amendment Determination No.3), which excluded from the suspension wild-caught prawns of Australian origin processed overseas and re-exported to Australia. Details of Amendment Determination No.3 can be found at legislation.gov.au/Search/uncooked%20prawns and the most recent industry advice notice is also now available at agriculture.gov.au/import/industry-advice/2017/45-2017.
  • Information for all World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries explaining the recent amendment was provided in the WTO SPS Notification G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.4. A link to the model health certificate is also provided in the WTO SPS notification members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/AUS/17_1946_00_e.pdf.
  • The department has contacted the major trading partners involved with processing and exporting Australian prawns, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam (noting Thailand has also been contacted but has an existing program previously assessed and approved by the department for processing Australian prawns via a secure supply chain). The department has sought confirmation from exporting countries that certification requirements will be incorporated into an updated export health certificate prior to commencement of trade. Agriculture counsellors stationed in each of these countries have also been provided with detailed briefing material and further information to assist with enquiries and to help ensure exporting country government competent authorities (CAs) and exporters understand and meet Australia's requirements. Once the department receives confirmation from CAs that the new certification requirements will be incorporated into an updated health certificate it will be in a position to assess import permit applications. The department is yet to receive this confirmation from any CAs. 
  • The department will provide further communication to industry when eligible countries are established and when permit applications can be made.
  • Importers seeking to apply for an import permit are encouraged to first ensure their exporters have contacted the relevant government CA to have processing facilities approved, and to ensure conditions set out on the model health certificate can be met (see below).
  • To meet Australia's conditions, exporting country CAs will need to certify that the exported prawn products:

1.       Are derived from prawns that were wild-caught in an Australian territory and were imported directly into {exporting country} from Australia for processing and export.

2.       Have had at least the head and shell removed (last shell segment and tail fans permitted).

3.       Have been processed, inspected and graded in a premises approved by and under the control of the CA, with procedures in place to ensure that, throughout transport, processing and storage, the product was segregated from the following:

a.       prawns that were not sourced from Australia

b.      products derived from such prawns

c.       other sources of contamination (e.g. processing equipment).

4.       Product from each single product run (a batch) has been found post-processing to be free of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and yellow head virus (YHV) based on a sampling and testing method recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) for demonstrating absence of disease.

5.       Are fit for human consumption.

6.       Each package is marked with the words "for human consumption only-not to be used as bait or feed for aquatic animals".

 

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.
  • The department has established a group of biosecurity officers who solely undertake inspections of prawn products. These officers have specific knowledge and experience, which will assist with the provision of efficient inspection activity and consistent assessment against the import conditions.
  • 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.

 

Management options for raw imported prawns held at Approved Arrangements:

 

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 the 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.

 

Enquiries to the department regarding your consignment:

  • In order to process your request for information quickly and efficiently, please ensure your consignment entry number(s) relating to the enquiry is included.

 

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