Alerts

Source countries: The lists of countries approved for animal fluids and tissues have been updated, some countries have been deleted, other countries have been added. Details are provided in Industry Advise notice 161-2019

The updated list of countries approved for animal fluids and tissues has been placed on the department’s web site. Previously, these country lists were placed on BICON and included in import permits – these lists will be replaced with a link to the department’s website. This will enable the department to update the list of approved countries on the department’s website (as a result of disease outbreaks etc.) which will simultaneously update all affected imported permits. BICON alerts will be issued in the future to notify importers of updates to these lists. It is the importers responsibility to check these lists prior to importing.

Please note: Several countries are no longer included in these lists; other countries have been added. See Appendix 1 for details.

Documentation: A manufacturer’s (or suppliers) declaration is now required to be provided for each consignment of animal fluids and tissues imported using Standard permits. Details are provided in Industry Advise notice 161-2019.

Simplified BICON case: The BICON case will be simplified with fewer pathways for classes of goods that require the same Non-standard import permit application.

Non-viable reproductive material: The BICON case will be updated to also include import conditions for non-viable reproductive material. As such, the case will be re-named ‘Animal fluids and tissues (excluding viable reproductive material)’. Import conditions for viable animal reproductive material remain on a separate BICON case.

Aquatic animals: A new pathway will be created for fluids and tissues sourced from aquatic animals. Samples of bony fish (excluding salmonids) and all other aquatic animals (excluding oysters, prawns and freshwater crayfish) for in-vitro use may be imported without an import permit, provided the import conditions are met. A new Standard import permit for salmonid fish fluids and tissues (no greater than 20g or 20mL) will be created.

Antisera: Will be included in animal fluids and tissue permits where applicable. Antisera that has the same import conditions as the animal fluids and tissues will be included in the same permit case.

Questionnaire: A questionnaire has been developed and will included in the BICON case. This questionnaire must be completed when applying for all Non-standard permits.

Who does this alert affect:

All importers of animal fluids and tissues for in-vitro use (or in-vivo use in laboratory organisms); Assessment Services Group; Client Contact Group.

Background:

An Import Conditions Review (ICR) was recently completed for animal fluids and tissues. Updates to the structure of the BICON case and the import conditions have been made as a result of this review.

Updated policy advice has been finalised regarding the lists of countries (or regions) approved for sourcing animal fluids and tissues for different species.

Further information:

It is expected that these changes will be implemented as follows:

• equine fluids and tissues from 14 October 2019
  

• all other species from 25 November 2019
  

For enquiries please phone 1800 900 090 (prompt 1, prompt 1) or email imports@agriculture.gov.au.