Notice - Notification of WTO Members: Biosecurity Advice 2020-A02: Proposed interim import conditions for uncooked prawns for human consumption
| WTO code |
G/SPS/N/AUS/495/Add.1 |
| Date notice |
13/05/2020 |
| Notice type |
Regular |
| Title |
Biosecurity Advice 2020-A02: Proposed interim import conditions for uncooked prawns for human consumption |
| Summary |
As set out in Animal Biosecurity Advice 2020-A03 published on the department's website on 14 May 2020 at: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos.
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has determined that interim import conditions for uncooked prawns imported into Australia are required to manage the risks associated with infection by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). Australia's current import conditions for uncooked prawns (including freezing and head and shell removal) do not manage biosecurity risk for EHP to a level that meets Australia's appropriate level of protection. Deveining is considered the most effective and practically implementable interim measure for reducing the load of viable EHP spores in infected prawns.
In response to the release of Animal Biosecurity Advice 2020-A02 "Proposed interim import conditions for uncooked prawns and prawn products imported for human consumption into Australia", the department received comments from 7 stakeholders during the 60-day comment period. These comments were considered when finalising the interim uncooked prawn import conditions.
Uncooked prawns arriving in Australia on or after 1 July 2020 must be certified by the competent authority to have undergone a deveining step during processing. Uncooked prawns will continue to be subject to 100 per cent seals intact inspection on-arrival in Australia.
If uncooked prawns do not meet the new interim import conditions they will be directed for re -export, disposal or treatment (e.g. cooking).
The import conditions for uncooked prawns will remain "interim" while Australia finalises the Review of the biosecurity risks of prawns imported into Australia for human consumption as announced by Australia's Director of Biosecurity on 16 May 2017 (Biosecurity Advice 2017/07; G/SPS/N/AUS/422).
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment anticipates the draft report will be available for comment in mid-2020.
Australia's updated model health certificate for prawns and prawn meat for human consumption is attached, which includes the additional attestation at Point 7.1 (2) for competent authorities to certify that uncooked prawns have been deveined. Wording has not changed since the release of the previous SPS notice proposing these changes (G/SPS/N/AUS/495).
Trading partners are encouraged to implement the required certification changes and finalise changes with the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment in a timely manner to prevent disruptions to trade from 1 July 2020.
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/SPS/AUS/20_3171_00_e.pdf
This addendum concerns a: Notification of adoption, publication or entry into force of regulatio
|
| Product |
uncooked prawns |
| Country |
Australia |
File attach:
NAUS495A1.pdf
Orther Notice: