Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to advise of the most recent changes to government certification required for managing the food safety risks associated with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in imported beef and beef products for human consumption. Refer to the webpage BSE food safety requirements for beef for details.

Changes since Imported Food Notice 02/16

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has been advised by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) that the BSE food safety risk assessment for the following countries have been completed:

Croatia

Assessed as Category 1.

The department will negotiate revised veterinary certificates with the competent authority to satisfy Australia’s biosecurity and BSE food safety requirements for eligible beef products.

Sweden

Assessed as Category 1.

The department will negotiate veterinary certificates with the competent authority to satisfy Australia’s biosecurity and BSE food safety requirements for eligible beef products. There are currently no import permits in place for beef or beef products exported directly from Sweden.

More information on BSE policy and beef imports

Beef and beef products imported into Australia can only be sourced from countries that have had their BSE food safety risk assessed and a satisfactory BSE risk status categorised by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and BSE certification negotiated and agreed between the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the competent authorities of the exporting country.

For more information about the BSE food safety risk assessment process, refer to the BSE information page on the FSANZ website or contact FSANZ:

Phone: 02 6271 2222
Email: BSE

Applying for import permits for beef and beef products

All consignments of beef and beef products for human consumption imported into Australia must comply with biosecurity and BSE food safety requirements.

The BSE food safety requirements only apply after the biosecurity requirements have been met. The biosecurity requirements for beef and beef products can be obtained from the Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON).

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/notices/ifn-09-16