Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00381:schedule:4:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00381
Segment Type: schedule
Provision Reference: sch 4 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 9924–13009

Schedule 4—Reasons—Australian wild-caught prawns processed overseas and re‑exported to Australia

Note: See subparagraph 5(b)(ii).

In light of the amendments to be made to the principal determination, uncooked Australian wild-caught prawns exported overseas for processing, and re-exported to Australia, represent an acceptable level of biosecurity risk that meets Australia's ALOP on the basis that:
 With the exception of the area of the current outbreak (paragraph 5(d) of the principal determination), Australia's territorial waters are considered free of WSSV.
 Prior to the principal determination, Australian wild-caught prawns were exported to Vietnam, Indonesia, China and other overseas countries for processing and re-export to Australia. Prawns imported into Australia through these arrangements were subject to on-arrival testing for WSSV and YHV in line with the import policy for uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat from all countries, other than New Caledonia.
 With the exception of the Thai Department of Fisheries, the Department has not assessed the relevant exporting country overseas authorities for their ability to oversee a secure supply chain for processing Australian-origin prawns.
 Although Australian wild caught prawns are considered free of WSSV (except those sourced from the area defined in Queensland's Movement Control Order for WSSV) and YHV, when processed overseas there may be opportunities for these prawns to be contaminated with WSSV or YHV or substituted with potentially diseased prawns. A secure supply chain was considered necessary to reduce the likelihood of contamination or substitution throughout processing.
Residual biosecurity risk can be further addressed by measures available under the Act. These include but are not limited to the following processes:
 The imposition of conditions on import permits, such as requirements for:
– a declaration by the overseas authority on an official health certificate that the imported prawns are wild-caught prawns of Australian origin, processed at an overseas authority-approved establishment with procedures in place to ensure segregation from non-Australian origin prawn products and other sources of contamination throughout transport, processing and storage; and
– exporting country certification that all batches of processed uncooked prawns are found to be free of WSSV and YHV based on an OIE-recognised testing method to confirm freedom from disease. Overseas authority certification supports risk management across the biosecurity continuum.
 The Department is to be alerted by the overseas authority if positive test results for WSSV or YHV are generated from consignments of Australian-origin prawns processed in the approved establishments.
 Intervention on arrival. Measures may include:
– increased on-arrival inspections of batches to ensure they meet the conditions specified on the import permit; and
– an appropriate level of on-arrival testing for WSSV and YHV; and
– holding the product in a premises covered by an approved arrangement pending the outcome