COVID-19 RECOVERY UPDATE

3rd June 2020

Festival of Australia in China

Source: Austrade

Austrade continues to develop and plan the Festival of Australia which will be held over the next few months in the leadup to the China International Import Expo (5-10 November 2020).

The STAG reminds seafood exporters that there is currently a call for digital content to be provided to Austrade to use in their planned campaign during June and July.  Please send your content to admin@seafoodtradeadvisory.com and this can be passed on to relevant Austrade representatives.

There also may be some appetite from seafood exporters to organise an event in one of the activity streams (e.g. Wine Australia is doing virtual wine tastings and could partner with an Australian seafood product).  If you have some interest in this, please contact admin@seafoodtradeadvisory.com

Market updates – China

The content below contains informal translation of foreign and Asian media.  Any information provided as part of this trade news service is general in nature. Before acting on any information provided, you should consider its appropriateness to your circumstances and business objectives.

E-commerce in China post COVID-19

Source: ewfresh, 20th May 2020

After COVID-19, e-commerce of fresh food in China continues to attract the attention of not only customers but also investment.  This article summarises the four main models of fresh e-commerce and how they are now operating in China and what this means for seafood retailing in the future.

To read the full translated article, click here

Guangzhou market spot-check inspection 

Source: China News, 16th May 2020

In the early morning of 16th May, officers from the Guangzhou Market Administration and Regulation Department conducted a spot check of the largest seafood and aquatic products market checking for food safety.

To read the full translated article, click here

Market Access Update

One of the key activities for STAG is to communicate industry priorities for trade and market access and to support the government in resolving any issues that arise.  These priorities are set out in the Seafood Trade Agenda and Action Plan.  Prior to COVID19, we had been planning to conduct an exporters forum to finalise the priorities for the next three years.  We will advise you when the forum is rescheduled. 

In the meantime here is an update on the issues that are currently being pursued by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment in relation to fish and fish products.

China

Departmental representatives met with China’s GACC in April 2020. Key points from this meeting are:

• the requested amendments and deletions for existing facilities were made to the Approved establishment listing.
• Assurances were given that the requested new additions to the list would follow at a later date.
• GACC advised the Department that the request to add the 11 species with a history of trade with China prior to 2012 had not been progressed citing a number of reasons. 
• The Department has requested a review of this decision which if not successful will mean that those 11 species will be treated as new aquatic species.
• The Department was advised by GACC that the process for getting new species added to the list was now published on the GACC website.  The department is seeking further clarification of the process which is detailed below.  The three priority species that were submitted earlier this year are being progressed by the Department

The new species listing process requires completion of six steps, these are:

1. Application by a competent authority in exporting country to GACC (questionnaire will then be provided);
2. Exporting country completes the questionnaire and submits to GACC
3. GACC expert panel conducts a risk evaluation of the submitted dossier, including on-site audit;
4. Negotiation of inspection and quarantine requirements (including the signing of a protocol or MoU) and health certificates.
5. Establishment registration with GACC; and
6. Importers may then apply for quarantine permits for imported aquatic products from eligible countries

The STAG will continue to monitor progress and to provide support to the Department by providing technical and industry input to the process as required.  Further updates will be provided as we receive them.

Canada

The Department is continuing to work with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to regain market access for the import of frozen whole in-shell farmed abalone. The STAG and industry members are working closely with the Department on this issue.  We are pleased to report that we are getting close to a resolution and will advise when the market has been successfully reopened.

EU

The Department is progressing the development of export certification for fishery products and live bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates and marine gastropods as required by EU Regulation 2019/628. English versions of the new health certificates have been completed and a number of dual-language certificates, which include French, German, Italian, Greek, Spanish and Danish have been prioritised. Other dual-language certificates will be progressively made available.

Taiwan

In March 2020, the Department received the final report from the November 2018 Taiwan seafood audit conducted by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA). Under the new systems recognition approach, the TFDA assumes confidence in Australia’s export systems for seafood. Fishery products not listed would now be permitted for export to Taiwan subject to the quarantine restrictions administered by the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Quarantine.

New Export Control Act

The Export Control Act 2020 and associated Acts have passed through both houses of Parliament and have received Royal Assent. Amendments have been made to the draft Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2020, which will continue development before commencing in March 2021.

Exporters, please note that:

• There will be opportunities for input to the Fish Rules with further consultation expected in the second half of 2020.
• The Department is currently updating relevant application forms, staff instructional material and training, and the Department’s website, as required, and changes to government certificates, with minimal impact on industry is anticipated.

Airfreight update

Seafood is a priority sector for IFAM. To access IFAM-supported flights, seafood exporters can register their interest through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s website (https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/international-freight-assistance

As at 11 May, the seafood industry is the largest subscriber to IFAM support, with around $60 million worth of seafood products already exported through IFAM with IFAM funding committed to support getting an additional $338 million worth of seafood products to international markets.

Flight schedules out of Brisbane

Source:  Brisbane Economic Development Board 

For airlines schedules that continue to operate at Brisbane Airport, for airline announcements regarding additional flights and updates on airlines extending suspension of flights to June and July download a fact sheet by clicking here 

New flight - Melbourne to Abu Dhabi

Source: Austrade

The IFAM is now supporting outbound flights between Melbourne and Abu Dhabi, rebuilding a key route to a major market for many Australian exporters.

Current scheduled IFAM flights are:

• Melbourne to Abu Dhabi one way - NEW
• Sydney to Shanghai one way
• Sydney to Tokyo (Narita) return
• Brisbane to Singapore return
• Brisbane to Cairns to Hong Kong return
• Brisbane to Auckland return
• Melbourne to Singapore return
• Melbourne to Hong Kong return
• Melbourne to Auckland return
• Adelaide to Singapore one way

Visit the IFAM website for the latest flight information and schedules

Seafood export program

 Source:  Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

A summary report on the seafood export program has been issued for the period 1 July 2019 to 30 April 2020 (YTD).  The report provides a year on year comparisons for seafood export activities including key markets and products.

To download the report, click here

Navigating the export journey

Source:  Austrade

For new exporters or people thinking about exporting you might be interested in joining the Hon Andrew Gee MP, Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education in a free seminar.   Navigating the Export Journey in a free trade environment will provide tools, tips and touchpoints to help your export business get started.

• When:  10th June 2020
• Time: 11 am – 12 noon (AEST)

This digital seminar will also be recorded.  You can visit the Free Trade Agreements seminars page to learn more about the series and listen to past recordings.

To register, click here

STAG Bulletins are available at http://www.seafoodtradeadvisory.com

STAG COVID-19 UPDATES are a resource for Australian seafood exporters.The Seafood Trade Advisory Group receives funds from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.  The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation plans, invests in and manages fisheries research and development throughout Australia. It is a statutory authority within the portfolio of the federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, jointly funded by the Australian Government and the fishing industry.