G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.6  
 
31 May 2017  
(17-2911) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMER GENCY MEASURES  
Addendum  
The following communication, received on 30 May 2017, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Australia . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Biosecurity (Suspended Goods - Uncooked Prawns) Amendment (Exceptions) D etermination 
(No. 4) 2017 – Health Certificates  
On 6 January 2017, Australia suspended the importation of uncooked prawns (including prawn 
meat) under the Biosecurity (Suspended Goods - Uncooked Prawns) Determination 2017 (the 
Determination) effective 9 J anuary 2017. This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk 
posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).  
On 15 May 2017, Australia's Director of Biosecurity made a fourth amendment to the scope of the 
Determination to exempt uncooked prawns and un cooked prawn meat that is marinated for human 
consumption (uncooked marinated prawns). This exemption was granted on the provision that this 
class of product meets a number of interim measures to ensure biosecurity risks are adequately 
managed. Australia h as developed these interim measures and a revised model health certificate, 
including all required health attestations. The model health certificate is attached.  
To facilitate trade in uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat that is marinated for human 
consumption, importers must hold a valid Australian import permit. Import permits issued prior to 
the suspension (before 9 January 2017) are suspended. Once the suspension is lifted, the 
department will vary import permits to include new import conditions.  
The competent authority of the exporting country is required to certify that the prawn consignment 
has been found free of WSSV and yellow head virus (YHV) based on sampling and testing methods 
recognised by the World Organisation for Animal health (OIE).  
In addition, uncooked marinated prawns are also required to comply with existing biosecurity risk 
management measures for marinated product, including being peeled (excluding marinated 
butterflied prawns), free from visible signs of disease, clearly labelled for human consumption 
only, and meet Australia's product definition for marinated prawns.   
Australia will be implementing measures at the border to verify health certificate attestations. At -
border measures will include 100 percent on -arrival inspection an d 100 percent testing for WSSV 
and YHV. These measures will continue for all uncooked marinated prawn consignments while 
interim conditions remain in place.  
Trading partners that can meet the interim measures and wish to export uncooked marinated 
prawns to  Australia are requested to contact the Australian Government Department of Agriculture 
and Water Resources to seek approval of export health certification prior to the commencement of 
trade.  
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/AUS/17_2489_00_e.pdf  G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.6  
 
- 2 - 
 
  This addendum concerns a:  
[ ] Modification of final date for comments  
[X] Modification of content and/or sco pe of previously notified regulation  
[ ] Withdrawal of  regulation  
[ ] Change in period of application of measure  
[ ] Other:  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  National Notification Authority, 
[ ] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of 
other body : 
The Australian SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678  
Email: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au   
Text(s) available from: [X]  National Notification Auth ority, [  ] National Enquiry Point. 
Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:  
The Australian SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra   ACT  2601 
Australia  
Fax:  +(61 2) 6272 3678  
Email:   sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au   
__________