Changes

Departmental officers, importers and industry are advised the cases for live dogs and cats have been amended to reflect temporary suspension of dogs and cats from Malaysia.

The department will not accept or grant applications for permits to import dogs and cats from Malaysia until appropriate measures are introduced to manage the serious risks to human and animal health and Australia’s environment that are associated with this situation.

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is working closely with the Malaysian authority.

The department is unable to advise when the temporary suspension will be lifted, but will continue to provide updates on the temporary suspension of dog and cat imports from Malaysia, as well as alternative options for import of those dogs and cats, through the website: www.agriculture.gov.au/cats-dogs/

Who does this notice affect:

Importers of live dogs and cats, Inspections Group and Assessment Services Group.

Background:

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is concerned that the biosecurity risks associated with the importation of dogs and cats from Malaysia is not acceptably low.

To address these biosecurity risks, the department has temporarily suspended the import of domestic and assistance dogs, and domestic cats from Malaysia.

Further information:

Animal and Biological Imports Branch

Phone: 1800 900 090

Email: imports@agriculture.gov.au