Changes

The department has updated the content of the ‘Pet food, pet food ingredients, and supplements for companion animals’ BICON case, specifically with respect to the case content for ‘Pig ears’.

Importers are now able to apply for an import permit for ‘Pig ears’ using a standard import permit pathway. The standard pathway includes conditions requiring manufacturers to verify that:

• Pig ears were heat treated so that the core of the product was subjected to a temperature of 100°C for at least 30 minutes.
• Pig ears were not coated with any animal-derived material (e.g. fat, digest, flavour enhancer) following the heat treatment referenced above.
• Pig ears were packaged into clean and new packaging at the manufacturing facility immediately after processing.
• Pig ears were protected from post-processing contamination.
• Pig ears are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration.
• The veterinary control number/government identification number of manufacturer and product batch number are embossed or indelibly printed on each package and are readily visible on the outer wrapping or package.

Consignments of pig ears exported to Australia will also need to be accompanied by an official certificate, which is issued by the government competent authority in the country of origin, verifying the statements made by the manufacturer and confirming:

• That the pig ears were sourced from animals that were subjected to ante- and post-mortem veterinary inspection and were found to be free from contagious and infectious disease.
• The country of origin of the source animals i.e. the country in which pigs were born, raised and slaughtered.
• That the manufacturer is registered by the government competent authority in the country of origin as an approved facility for the production of pet treats.
• That the product exported to Australia contains no bovine, ovine, cervine or caprine-derived material.

Consignments of pig ears exported to Australia will be treated onshore with ionising radiation to a level that achieves a minimum absorbed dose of 50 kGy before being released to the importer.

These conditions mitigate biosecurity risks associated with imported pig ears to a level consistent with Australia’s Appropriate Level of Protection (as defined under the Biosecurity Act 2015).

Importers are still able to submit their permit application for pig ears using a non-standard permit pathway.

Background:
Updates to case content will improve the experience for users of the department's BICON database.

Who does this alert affect:
Departmental staff and Australian importers of pet food, pet food ingredients, and supplements for companion animals.

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