Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released the Import risk review for dehydrated and pre-sterilised microbiological media: final report (the review).

This review aimed to modernise Australia's dehydrated and pre-sterilised microbiological media import conditions to appropriately reflect the level of biosecurity risk and simplify import permit conditions. It considered the biosecurity risks associated with importing (from any country) dehydrated and pre-sterilised microbiological media. It has taken into account new and relevant peer-reviewed scientific information, international standards, relevant changes in industry practices and operational practicalities.

The review identified two hazards of biosecurity concern for imported dehydrated and pre-sterilised microbiological media. Risk assessments were undertaken for each hazard and measures have been developed to manage the biosecurity risks.

The review includes baseline risk management measures for dehydrated and pre-sterilised microbiological media and specific risk management will continue to be required for bovine spongiform encephalopathy and scrapie.