Date of issue: 11 September 2024

Date of effect: Immediate

Reference Number: MAA 2024-12

Related MAA/IAN: 

Attention

• Industry bodies: Seafood Industry Australia, Seafood Trade Advisory Group, Seafood Export Consultative Committee
• Seafood Export Establishments
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry: Central and Regional offices

Purpose

This Market Access Advice (MAA) informs stakeholders about a new process for prioritising seafood market access requests with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department).

In partnership with the seafood export industry, the department is streamlining how new market access requests are submitted and prioritised. The new process will enable the department and industry to better manage market access priorities, ensuring effective allocation of government and industry resources. 

The Seafood Market Access Prioritisation Framework has been noted by the Seafood Export Consultative Committee (SECC). A standing report will be provided to SECC on the market access priority list, including any key market access developments. Additionally, a government-industry Working Group has been established to facilitate the prioritisation of market access requests and ongoing maintenance of the prioritisation database.

Under this framework, market access requests will be recorded in the Seafood Market Access Prioritisation Tool (SMAPT) and will be reviewed by the Working Group before each SECC meeting.

How to submit a new market access request

Exporters must complete a Market Access Request Form (Attachment A) for all new market access requests. Once the form is fully completed it should be emailed to exportstandards@aff.gov.au.

New market access requests will be reviewed and prioritised by the Working Group on a biannual basis or more frequently, as required. The department will send an acknowledgement email once the request has been registered.

Urgent Market Access Requests

The Seafood Market Access Prioritisation Framework includes an urgent category for issues that have a direct and time-sensitive commercial impact. For urgent requests, stakeholders should complete the Market Access Request Form and raise the urgency of the request in the subject line of the email. Please note, SMAPT is not designed to manage distressed consignments—these should be managed via usual processes by contacting dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.

Download

Attachment A: Market Access Request Form – Seafood (Word 234 KB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.

Further information

Should further guidance on submitting a new market access request or the SMAPT be required, please contact exportstandards@aff.gov.au.

Please note that depending on your email settings, you may need to download pictures in this email. This can be done by selecting the 'Click here to download pictures' or 'Display images' prompt at the top of this email.

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.