Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00168:schedule:6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00168
Segment Type: schedule
Provision Reference: sch 6
Character Range: 18554–21449

Schedule 6—Reasons—prawns harvested in Australia and exported to Thailand for import back to Australia

Note: See subparagraph 5(1)(b)(v).

Uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat deriving from prawns that, in accordance with the secure supply chain, were:
 wild‑caught in Australian territory other than the area to which the WSSV Movement Control Order relates; and
 exported to Thailand, either in the form of uncooked prawns or uncooked prawn meat, for processing at Thai Union Group Public Company Limited, 79/233 Moo 7, Sethakit 1 Road, Tambon Tarsai, Amphur Muang, Samutsakorn 74000, Thailand;
represent an acceptable level of biosecurity risk that meets Australia's ALOP.

This on the basis that:
 The Department recognises Thailand's Department of Fisheries as a competent authority which has the structure, resource capacity and operational framework capable of administering effective traceability and biosecurity policy for the production of fish and fishery products.
 In 2015, the secure supply chain used to process prawns harvested in Australia and exported to Thailand for import back to Australia was assessed through a desk audit and in-country verification visit. The assessment concluded that the robust biosecurity and traceability systems in place were adequate to ensure product integrity throughout processing in Thailand.
 Prior to the Department officially recognising Thailand's Department of Fisheries' ability to oversee the secure supply chain, all Australian prawns processed at Thai Union Group Public Company Limited's facility and imported back to Australia were subject to 100 per cent on-arrival testing in line with the policy for all raw imported prawns. From October 2011 to August 2015 (when testing requirements were removed) there was no confirmed positive results for WSSV in prawns imported through this pathway.
 A review of export and import volumes of product processed though this pathway found no evidence of additional product being added to the supply chain for import back to Australia.
 Uncooked prawns imported into Australia through this approved pathway may have a higher likelihood of exposure to susceptible species than cooked or highly processed prawn products. However, confidence in the integrity of the system provides the Department with the assurance that it is unlikely that these products will be contaminated with WSSV.
 In order to ensure that product processed through this pathway continues to meet Australia's ALOP, the Department will implement on-arrival testing for WSSV and yellow head virus for the remainder of the period of operation of the principal determination. This will include:
– holding the product in an approved arrangement pending confirmation of a negative test result; and
– ordering the product to be exported from Australian territory, destroyed or cooked if a positive test result is found.