Date of issue: 6 June 2024
Date of effect: Immediate
Related MAAs: 2024-08
Attention:
- Egg Exporters - Australian
- Egg Export establishments
- Licensed exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Central and Regional offices
This Market Access Advice (MAA) updates MAA 2024-08 issued on 24 May 2024 and provides further information on export health certificates affected by the detection of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Victoria. This MAA also provides information on country-imposed import restrictions by the Solomon Islands, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Japan, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Malaysia and the United States of America.
Disease situation
The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has confirmed the presence of HPAI (H7 strain) on a commercial egg laying farm in southwest Victoria, near Geelong. Agriculture Victoria's tracing activities have also detected another HPAI (H7 strain) on a second premises near Terang in Victoria on 24 May 2024. On 3 June, Victoria confirmed a third infected premises in the declared Control Area. The affected premises have been placed under quarantine with a restricted area of 5km declared around each property. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of both detections in accordance with international obligations.
Country import restrictions and certification advice
Please refer to Attachment 1 for a list of all Australian export health certification affected by this HPAI incident in Victoria. Please note, the department is working through specific restrictions implemented by importing countries following Australia's notification to WOAH. Countries which have notified the department include;
- French Polynesia
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Malaysia
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of Korea
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- USA
- Russia
Exporter and establishment guidance
There may be commercial risk associated with poultry and poultry products exported prior to the HPAI incident in Victoria. Exporters should work closely with their importer to ensure import requirements are met and manage this risk.
The department is working as a priority to seek clearance for affected product in transit with a slaughter date on or before 16 May 2024. This includes the provision of facilitation letters and the utilisation of the Agriculture Counsellor network where appropriate. The department will also be engaging with trading partners to seek agreement on the continuation of safe trade in products that have been heat treated which will ensure that HPAI is not present in the goods.
The department is also aware that some goods will need to be returned to Australia. The department will provide further advice on the process for returning goods including goods that have been exported with insufficient documentation via a future MAA.
Further information
The information provided above 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.
Contact ExportStandards@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.