Changes

The department has updated the content of the ‘Pet food, pet food ingredients, and supplements for companion animals’ BICON case to include a pathway for ‘Mealworms and other dried insects for pet food use’.

Importers are now able to apply for an import permit for ‘Mealworms and other dried insects for pet food use’ using a standard import permit pathway. The standard pathway includes conditions requiring manufacturers to verify that:

• The only ingredient of animal origin contained in the goods is dried insects.
• The insects have not been reared or fed on material derived from animals.
• All components of the product have been treated so that the final product does not require refrigeration.
• The product does not contain any whole seeds or viable plant materials.
• The product has not been exposed to contamination after processing.
• The product is packed in clean, new packaging only.

Consignments of insects 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.

The product must be labelled for direct retail sale in individual package sizes of no greater than 5 kg. If the consignment is found not to be in retail packaging or in package sizes greater than 5 kg then the consignment must be exported or disposed of with all costs to be borne by the importer.

These conditions mitigate biosecurity risks associated with imported mealworms and other dried insects 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 ‘Mealworms and other dried insects for pet food use’ 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.