Date of issue: 24 June 2024
Date of effect: Immediate
Related MAAs: 2024-08, 2024-10, 2024-12, 2024-13, 2024-15
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 MAA2024-15 issued on 14 June 2024 which provided information on certification changes as a result of the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) incident in Victoria. This MAA provides an update on a new detection of HPAI in New South Wales.
Disease situation
New South Wales HPAI outbreak
On 19 June 2024, the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) confirmed detection of an H7N8 strain of HPAI on a commercial mixed free range and barn egg laying farm in the Hawkesbury District, New South Wales. A notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has been made on this new detection.
On 22 June 2024, ACDP confirmed a second detection of an H7N8 strain on a chicken meat farm within the current restricted area in the Hawkesbury District.
These detections are separate from the current HPAI outbreak in Victoria involving H7N3 and H7N9 strains. Emergency animal disease response activities are underway. Further information can be found on the NSW Government Department of Primary Industries website and the Australian National Pest and Disease Outbreaks website.
Victorian HPAI outbreak
In May 2024, Victoria confirmed an outbreak of HPAI (H7) on two premises. As a result of targeted surveillance and tracing activities, a total of seven infected premises have been confirmed within the established controlled areas. Further information on the disease situation and response can be found on the Victorian Government Agriculture Department website and the Australian National Pest and Disease Outbreaks website.
Any changes to the situations in Victoria or New South Wales will be updated on their respective websites, and an MAA may be issued.
Certificate changes
As a result of the new detection within NSW, the department has reviewed health certification against importing country requirements and existing certificate attestations for all avian and avian products, including poultry meat and meat products, eggs, egg products and inedible products. While an emergency animal disease response is underway for HPAI the department is aware that these products are unlikely to be able to meet importing countries' requirements. This is because Australia's HPAI status has changed and emergency animal disease responses are ongoing.
Affected certificates and products are outlined in the table provided at Attachment 1. The department notes that product sourced from other species may also be affected. Where exporters consider their product meets importing country requirements the exporter may contact the department via the EXDOC Help Desk on (02) 6272 4800 for meat, inedible meat products, skins and hides, or on (02) 6272 4700 for eggs, to apply for a certificate. For example, this may be where slaughter/packing dates predate the beginning of the HPAI outbreak (17 May 2024) for particular markets. Note that affected certification is not currently available through EXDOC/NEXDOC.
The department is working closely with industry to prioritise negotiations with key poultry and poultry product markets to minimise further trade disruptions. The department continues to engage key markets through its agricultural counsellor network to expedite these discussions. Updates will be provided in future MAAs.
Distressed and detained consignments
Exporters should note that product recently exported on affected health certificates that have not arrived at the port of entry and cleared customs are at commercial risk. Exporters should work with their importer to ensure importing country requirements can be met prior to applying for export certification to manage commercial risk.
To assist with information management, exporters and establishments are requested to direct all enquires to the department about the effect of this HPAI incident on exports through their relevant peak industry body, where possible.
As per MAA2024-12, if you aware that you have a consignment of poultry and poultry products that is already in transit and is likely to be detained, or your consignment is currently detained, please contact Exportstandards@aff.gov.au with the following information:
- Destination country
- Exporter (name/company)
- Consignee (name/company)
- RFP, REX number and issue date
- Import permit number and issue date
- Container number
- Seal number and seal date
- Product description
- Slaughter / packing dates
- Establishment name / number
- Establishment address
- Departure Date
- Health certificate number
- Official documentation from trading partner confirming details of the detainment
- Confirmation of where the product was sourced
- Any other relevant information.
Returned product
As per MAA2024-12, the department is also aware that some goods will need to be returned to Australia. The department has detailed advice on returned meat and meat products on the it's website.
If you require further assistance, please contact returnedexportfood@aff.gov.au.
If the goods being returned are non-prescribed goods (NPGs) or eggs, contact the following teams:
The department will provide updates on this in future MAAs as information becomes available.
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.
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