Changes

In 2019, Australia suspended imports of uncooked chicken meat following an outbreak of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) on the South Island.

The department has now re-established trade in uncooked chicken meat with the North Island of New Zealand only. Note, imports of cooked chicken meat from both the North and the South Islands will also continue.

Uncooked chicken meat from the North Island is eligible for import into Australia if:

• derived from hatching eggs sourced from the North Island only,
• derived from animals hatched, continuously resident, slaughtered and processed in the North Island only,
• all source farms, slaughter establishments and further processing facilities are approved by the NZMPI for the purposes of exporting chicken meat from the North Island to Australia,
• the chickens were slaughtered on or after 11 September 2020, and
• the chicken meat products remained in the North Island of New Zealand, prior to export.

The uncooked chicken meat can only enter the South Island of New Zealand for the purposes of exporting to Australia and/or Norfolk Island. Uncooked chicken meat entering the South Island of New Zealand must be either:

1. [for containers] sealed with an official government seal, or
2. [for airfreight only] moved directly to, and confined to, the tarmac (or immediately surrounding area).

Note: The above condition does not apply to cooked chicken meat.

Applying for a new permit in BICON
Applications should include one of the following statements:
Permit to allow for the import of cooked chicken meat only, or
Permit to allow for both cooked chicken meat and uncooked chicken meat sourced and exported from the North Island.

Who does this alert affect:
Assessment and Client Contact Group and importers of chicken meat, chicken meat-based flavours, and chicken products.

Further information:
Please contact the Animal and Biological Imports Branch on 1800 900 090 or email imports@agriculture.gov.au .