Alerts

In August 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry finalised an evaluation of Belgium’s African swine fever (ASF) status for pig meat and pig product imports to Australia.

The assessment concluded that Belgium can be considered free from ASF in all suids in accordance with Australian requirements for sourcing from a country free from African swine fever, with an effective date for recognition of freedom in March 2021 (slaughter date 1 April 2021).

Who does this alert affect:
Departmental staff and Australian importers of pet food, pet food ingredients, and supplements for companion animals that import or intend to import suid (porcine) fluid and tissues which must be sourced and/or manufactured and/or exported from ASF-free countries as a condition of import.

Background:
On 14 September 2018, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry received notification from the European Commission of an outbreak of ASF in the wild boar population of Belgium. As a result of the outbreak of ASF, Australia suspended trade in porcine commodities including pig meat and goods containing or potentially contaminated with pig material, where ASF country freedom was required and no longer able to be met.

Further information:
Please contact the department on 1800 900 090 (prompt 1, prompt 1) or via email at imports@agriculture.gov.au.