Export of breeder cattle to China- Minor update

Attention

• Licenced livestock exporters
• Meat and Livestock Australia
• LiveCorp
• Australian Livestock Exporters' Council
• Departmental staff

Purpose

To advise licenced livestock exporters of a minor update to the import health requirements for breeder cattle to China as they relate to on-farm testing.

Key points

• The import health requirements for breeder cattle to China include on-farm testing prior to any eligible cattle being transported to the pre-export isolation premises.
• The protocol requires;
  • 'If animals from a farm are found positive to one of the tested disease except Bluetongue at a rate of more than 50%, all the animals from this farm should not be exported to China.'
• In January 2024, the Chinese authority advised the Department that this requirement is to be interpreted as;
  • 'If animals from a farm are found positive to one of the tested disease except Bluetongue at a rate equal to or more than 50%, all the animals from this farm should not be exported to China.'
• The import health requirements for cattle to China are as set out in the relevant Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICOR) entry.

Instructions

1. Exporters of cattle to China must prepare the animals for export in accordance with the importing country requirements as referenced in the import permit, relevant MICOR entry, and their Approved Arrangement/Approved Export Program.

Email: livestockexp@aff.gov.au