Alerts

Serbia has confirmed an outbreak of lumpy skin disease.

Lumpy skin disease is not present in Australian and the introduction of this disease would have serious economic consequences for the Australian beef and dairy industries. Animals susceptible to lumpy skin disease include cattle and water buffalo.

As a result of the outbreak, commodities such as bovine semen and embryos, dairy products and hides and skins may no longer meet current import requirements and may be considered to pose a biosecurity risk.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is undertaking measures to reduce the risk of introducing lumpy skin disease into Australia. For commodities of concern, the application of these measures will be based on the date of report and the maximum incubation period. These changes will affect material that was sourced from or manufactured in Serbia from 4 June 2016 (inclusive). High risk items will not be permitted entry and variation of import permits will be made where necessary.

Impact on officers at the border:

Regional officers are to continue current practices, releasing consignments in accordance with the accompanying import permit or (if an import permit is not required) the relevant BICON case.

Import permits affected by the outbreak have been amended. Importers have been informed that sourcing high risk material from, or manufacturing high risk material in, Serbia from 4 June 2016 (inclusive) will not be permitted until eradication is confirmed. Importers with goods in transit, have been advised to contact the department.

Further information:

Animal and Biological Import Assessments Branch

Phone: 1800 900 090

Email: imports@agriculture.gov.au