Raw Prawn Update #33

Saturday, July 8, 2017

Please see the latest information regarding activities being undertaken as part of the imported prawn suspension.

 

End of prawn suspension and new import conditions for prawns and prawn products for human consumption:

  • The import suspension of uncooked prawns lapsed at midnight on 6 July 2017.
  • Enhanced import conditions have been implemented on 7 July 2017, to allow for safe trade in prawns and prawn products, to meet Australia's appropriate level of protection (ALOP). These conditions can be found at: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/ba2017-12
  • From 7 July 2017, uncooked prawns, marinated prawns and Australian prawns processed overseas (excluding those processed in an Australian government approved supply chain) will be consolidated into the one product class – uncooked prawns.
  • Prawns within this class must be uncooked, frozen and have the head and shell removed (the last shell segment and tail fans permitted).
  • Exporting countries must confirm that this new class of uncooked prawns has been tested and found to be free of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and yellow head virus (YHV). These prawns are subject to 100 per cent secure seals intact inspection on-arrival in Australia and must again test negative for WSSV and YHV at an Australian screening laboratory before they can be released form biosecurity control.
  • The department has contacted importers individually regarding the variation of their suspended import permits to reflect the enhanced import conditions. No change has been made to the product description on the permit. For this reason, both marinated and uncooked prawn product descriptions still apply, noting that the import conditions are now the same. As the department commences issuing new import permits the product descriptions will be amended.
  • Please note that all previously imported product that has received a notice of direction must test negative for WSSV at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) before it can be released into the market. This is because it was not subject to the risk management measures that will apply for future shipments.
  • Importers are responsible for ensuring that the conditions on the import permit are complied with before importing goods into Australia. This includes ensuring that there are relevant procedures in place for the exporting country to certify that the prawns are disease free and confirmation that a health certificate can be obtained.
  • As of 6 July 2017, Competent Authorities from Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia have provided written confirmation to the department that they can meet Australia's import conditions.

·         The department is working closely with trading partners, including China, Indonesia, India and Bangladesh to ensure trade can be resumed as quickly as possible with these countries.

·         The department will provide further Import Industry Advice Notices once Competent Authorities confirm, in writing, that they can meet the enhanced import conditions.

 

Sampling and Laboratory testing program for new imports of uncooked prawns in Australia:

  • Samples of prawns for WSSV and YHV testing will be taken by biosecurity officers under seals intact conditions at relevant Approved Arrangement locations. 13 samples of 5 prawns each (65 in total) will be randomly selected from each importer-declared batch. A batch cannot be greater than 1 shipping container.
  • Importers will nominate which one of the three approved laboratories will perform WSSV and YHV testing.
  • The department has identified the need to develop a more standardised testing procedure for WSSV to be used by laboratories conducting testing of imported prawns and is overseeing its development. This more standardised testing procedure will be adopted consistently by all testing laboratories and independently verified by the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA).
  • The method used in approved laboratories is based on the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in the current version of the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals or equivalent.
  • To improve the consistency of testing results, the approved laboratories are required to implement the following actions for WSSV testing of imported prawns from 7 July 2017:
    • The real-time PCR must run for 45 cycles.
    • A negative result is where there is no amplification of WSSV DNA within 45 cycles (Ct) in all 13 samples.
    • A positive result is where there is detectable amplification of WSSV DNA before 40 cycles (Ct<40) in any one of the 13 samples.
    • A suspected positive results where there is detectable amplification between 40 and 45 cycles in any one of the 13 samples
    • When a laboratory determines one or more suspected positive results in a batch, the laboratory should advise the importer to request confirmatory testing from AAHL.
      • Note, only those samples testing suspected positive would be subject to confirmatory testing, not samples that tested negative at the approved laboratories.
    • If the importer chooses not to request confirmatory testing for suspected positive samples, a batch of prawns containing one or more suspected positive samples will be reported as positive for WSSV. 
    • In cases where there are positive and suspected positive samples in the batch, the importer also has the option to request confirmatory testing for those samples at AAHL.

o   For confirmatory testing, AAHL also uses Ct of 45 as cut-off for negative samples. If suspected positive samples produce Ct value before 45 cycles, these samples will be reported as positive. This is because AAHL can conduct additional testing to further confirm these samples are positive for WSSV.

  • The sampling regime still provides 95% confidence of detecting the agent, if present, at 5% prevalence.

 

Review of the biosecurity risk of, and the import conditions for, prawns and prawn products:

  • The department's review of the biosecurity risk of, and the import conditions for, prawns and prawn products from all countries is underway and stakeholders have been advised of the opportunity to participate in this process.
  • The review is considering the biosecurity risks for the importation of cooked and uncooked prawns and prawn products from all countries for human consumption and will recommend appropriate import conditions to manage the biosecurity risk. This review is expected to take approximately two years to complete.
  • Further information is available on the department's website via the following link: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/ba2017-07

 

Crumbed, Battered and Breaded Prawn Inspections:

  • The department has introduced an increased rate of inspection to ensure that crumbed, breaded and battered prawns are genuinely described and meet the import requirements. While the inspection rate for consignments has increased, the criteria that crumbed, breaded and battered prawns must meet remains unchanged.
  • The key factors considered by a biosecurity officer when assessing if the product is a genuine crumbed, breaded or battered product during inspection are:
    • Coating coverage – Does the coating sufficiently cover the product (in its frozen state) or are patches of raw prawn meat readily visible?
    • Consistency of the coating – When thawed does the coating naturally adhere to the prawn or does it run off under its own weight?
    • Variation of product within samples – For example, different coloured coatings on prawns from the same product line.
    • Do the samples accord with previous information supplied to the department – The samples may be compared to photos supplied at the time of permit assessment. These photos must realistically show the product as it will appear at inspection.

 

Management options for raw imported prawns held at Approved Arrangements:

 

Direction to manage biosecurity risks:

  • As part of the department's on-going comprehensive uncooked prawn withdrawal process, it has identified and contacted approximately 130 domestic cold storage facilities. These facilities have been directed to secure any uncooked prawns and to advise the department. Where uncooked prawns are identified, they will be subject to sampling and testing for WSSV.
  • 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.
  • 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 prawnliaisonofficer@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. Biosecurity Officers will remove the seal and verify.
    • Two Biosecurity 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.

 

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 4 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