The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has published its final report: Biosecurity risks of lumpy skin disease via fresh (chilled and frozen) skeletal muscle meat derived from bovines.
The draft report for this risk analysis was notified to WTO members on 26 June 2023 (G/SPS/N/AUS/567) and was published on the department's website on 27 June 2023 for a 30-day stakeholder consultation period ending 26 July 2023.
The final report takes into account all comments received during the public consultation process concerning these matters.
The final report's findings are consistent with international standards for beef derived from bovine skeletal muscle from trading partners that meet standard international practices for the hygienic production, storage and transportation of meat and meat products.
The final report recommends that Australia amends its requirements for the importation of fresh beef derived exclusively from bovine skeletal muscle by deletion of the requirement for certification that the approved country of origin and supply is free from lumpy skin disease or LSD. On the basis of the evidence available it does not propose amendment to existing requirements for offals, bone and other bovine carcase tissues.
Existing requirements for beef will be amended in the department's online biosecurity conditions webpage, Australia's Biosecurity Import Conditions website (BICON: https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/), and trading partners will be able to continue to trade under existing conditions and/or the new conditions following that time depending on their animal health status for lumpy skin disease.
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