Date of issue: 15 January 2024

Date of effect: DImmediate

Reference Number: IAN2024-01

Attention

• Industry bodies; Seafood Export Consultative Committee
• Registered export manufacturing and storage establishments and registered vessels
• Registered exporters and EDI users
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) - Central and Regional offices

Purpose

This notice is to inform export registered seafood manufacturing establishments that the European Union (EU) requires the recommencement of the verification sampling program. Your cooperation is essential in assisting the department in identifying the establishments from which verification sampling will need to be collected.

Summary of key points 

• During a recent audit by the EU conducted between 14 September to 2 December 2022 assessing Australia's controls of fish and fish products, it was determined that the department must recommence the verification sampling program.
• The department will be conducting verification sampling at EU listed establishments that prepare fish and fish product lines nominated by the EU as being eligible.
• The verification sampling program requires the collection of EU nominated products to verify that the establishments current EU sampling process meets EU requirements.
• Establishments will be responsible for covering the costs associated with the verification sampling program, including any sampling equipment provided by the department and analytical testing.

Product Standards Guideline and EU sampling requirements

• As an establishment listed by the EU with EU eligible product lines, you are required to conduct EU sampling in accordance with the Product standards guideline. This is to ensure compliance with EU requirements, regardless of whether you are actively exporting to the EU or not.
• Products requiring specific tests required by the EU are outlined in tables 5 & 6 of the Product standards guideline. Please note: if EU eligible products require histamine testing (i.e. Scombroid fish species such as kingfish, tuna, mackerel), then the 9 samples as indicated in table 5 & 6, must be taken from 9 separate fish.
• Failure to conduct samples to ensure compliance with EU requirements may result in the issuance of a non-compliance to your establishment and EU eligibility of certain product lines may be removed.

EU verification sampling process

• The commencement of sample collection for the EU verification sampling program will occur once the department has confirmed the establishments from which verification sampling needs to be collected.
• Establishments will be responsible for covering the expenses associated with analytical testing and sampling equipment provided.
• Further details and instructions will be provided once the participating establishments are confirmed.

Mandatory action that is required by every EU listed establishment (only processing establishments and vessels)

This must be completed by Friday 2 February 2024

• Email the Dairy, Eggs and Fish export program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au to confirm that either:
  • you have reviewed your EU eligible products and currently sampling all EU eligible product lines.
    
    Or
     
  • you have reviewed your EU eligible products but wish to have EU eligibility removed from certain products.
  • Please provide a list of products that you wish to remove your EU eligibility for. Please note that removing EU eligibility from product lines does not remove your existing EU listing.
• If we do not receive a response, the department will proceed with sample collection, and you will be liable for covering the costs associated with the analysis of the samples.

• The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.