Date of issue: 19 September 2024

Date of effect: 25 September 2024

Reference Number: MAA 2024-36

Related MAAs: MAA 2022-39, MAA 2023-02, MAA 2023-47, 2024-02, 2024-24, 2024-26, 2024-30

Attention

• Industries—Industry bodies – Dairy Australia – Infant Nutrition Council, Dairy Export Industry Consultative Committee, Australian Food and Grocery Council
• Dairy Export establishments
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Central and Regional offices

Purpose

To notify exporters of new dairy export health certification for milk and milk products for human consumption to India. The new ZDIN01 certificate template and endorsement 9900 will be available to exporters in Next Export Documentation System (NEXDOC) from 25 September 2024.

Summary of key points

• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has finalised negotiations with India's Food Safety and Standards Authority and Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying regarding new certification for Australian milk and milk products for human consumption exported to India.
• The new certificate template (ZDIN01) is titled, "Veterinary Health Certificate for Import of Milk and Milk Products into India" and must be used with endorsement number 9900.
• The ZDIN01 template with endorsement 9900 replaces certificate template ZD035 and endorsements 6074 and 3898 for the export of milk and milk products to India. 
• The new certificate will be available in NEXDOC from 25 September 2024. 

Raising a Request for Export (REX) for milk and milk products for human consumption to India

When raising a REX to export milk and milk products for human consumption to India using the new template (ZDIN01), endorsement 9900 is the default endorsement and does not need to be selected. However, exporters must enter the commercial invoice number and invoice date for the consignment.

The commercial invoice number and date details must be entered via the additional description field and will populate in the relevant field in the certificate.

Due to India's requirements for certificate endorsements, exporters should note ZDIN01 is a one product line certificate. Where multiple products lines are entered in the REX, separate certificates shall be issued for each product line.

The new endorsements

Exporters are responsible for ensuring their products comply with India's importing country requirements and will be accepted at border inspection. 

The ZDIN01 certificate with endorsement 9900 states the following:

The undersigned Official Veterinarian certifies that the product(s) described above satisfies the following requirement.

1a. The source animals have never been fed with feeds produced from meat or bone meal including internal organs, blood meal and tissues of ruminant and porcine origin materials except milk and milk products.

1b. The milk product has not been manufactured using animal rennet.

2a. The milk has been processed (including destruction of FMDV) to make it fit for human consumption as recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Human consumption is the intended purpose of the milk product.

2b. The milk has been processed to a temperature which ensures destruction of organisms causing Tuberculosis, Listeriosis, Para tuberculosis, Q fever and Brucellosis.

2c. The animals from which the milk has been derived were not exposed to Bovine Growth Hormones (BGH)/ Bovine Somatotropin Hormones (BST).

2d. The source animals were not subjected to estrogenic treatment in last 90 days.

2e. The milk and milk products do not contain preformed bacterial toxins such as those produced by bacteria belonging to Staph. aureus, Bacillus cereus, Clost. perfringes and Clost. botulinum.

3a. The above-mentioned products comply with the Australian Export legislation which has been deemed to provide equivalent outcomes to India's Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules and regulations made thereunder.

3b. The products have been manufactured at establishments approved by the Australian Government competent authority to export to India.

3c. The milk does not contain drug, pesticides, heavy metal residues, mycotoxins, antibiotics and additives above the limits prescribed by Australian legislation.

3d. The products were produced under programs which minimise pathogenic microorganisms and meet the required outcomes.

3e. Production, packing, storage, and transportation of these products has been done in a sanitary manner pursuant to Australian export legislation and Australian standards and implemented within the context of HACCP systems where appropriate.

3f. The products have been subject to regular inspections and monitoring in accordance with Australian standards and legislation and the rules and regulations made thereunder.

The Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) will be updated to reflect this market access advice. The department encourages users of Micor to subscribe to the Micor update service for a commodity-specific email that lists changes that have been made in the preceding week.

Further information

Contact exportstandards@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.

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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.