SEAFOOD TRADE MATTERS

1 July 2021

This Bulletin contains information general in nature. Before taking any action based on the information provided, you should consider its appropriateness to your individual circumstances and business objectives. Exporters should verify any details with their importers prior to undertaking any action.

Lobster Export Webinar Today!

Austrade and STAG have arranged a series of webinars focused on lobster exports to key markets. 

The first briefing, covering exports to Vietnam, South Korea, and Taiwan, will be held today (1 July) at 14:00 - 15:00 AEST. Register for the event here > 

A second briefing will be held on 7 July at 13:00 - 14:00 AEST, focusing on Hong Kong and Japan. Register for this webinar here >

Get the latest insights from Austrade’s in-market representatives. Topics include a COVID report, opportunities and challenges, and a regulatory update. Don’t miss these special events! 
 

Market Access Priorities 

STAG has been working with the Lobster Working Group and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to resolve issues around export Health Certificates to some markets.  

STAG is in regular discussions with the Department to prioritise market access resolutions for our members. If you have any issues that are impeding your ability to diversify markets please let us know.  We need to provide information about the potential size of the market and demonstrate demand as part of the priority setting process. Please provide as much information you can when sending through a request. 
 

JAEPA Review

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has commenced work on an update of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA). Officials are looking for feedback from seafood exporters to better understand how the JAEPA can be improved, especially where JAEPA benefits may have been superseded by the CPTPP. 

If you would like to have your say, please contact STAG: admin@seafoodtradeadvisory.com or visit the government’s JAEPA review website. More detail on the JAEPA can be found here. 
 

China Customs suspends more seafood exporters over COVID 

In the last week, China Customs has suspended three Ecuadorian establishments, eight Indian establishments, and one Russian processing ship, in relation to COVID detections. The detections related to frozen products, including vannamei shrimp and mid-fin pomfret. 
 

New export registration case managers 

To help seafood businesses better navigate the export registration process, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is introducing case managers to support aspiring, new and seasoned exporters. The case managers will aim to improve application processing times, reduce administrative burden, and expand and diversify market opportunities.

The case managers would like to conduct interviews with exporters that have gone through the export registration process (i.e. have used the ex26 form) in the past 18 months or so. Interviews will be casual, focusing on applicant experiences during the export registration process. 

If you have any questions or would like to participate, please reach out to exportsupport@awe.gov.au

A short survey will also be available in the next few weeks. STAG will pass on the link.
 

Revised export cost recovery fees and charges implemented

The final 2021–22 fish and egg exports Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) has been published on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s website. 

New 2021–22 fees and charges will commence on 1 July 2021. The CRIS outlines a proportionate increase to fees and charges based on the existing pricing structure.

The annual review of the CRIS will start in October 2021. This will include consideration of alternative charging structures outlined in the discussion paper released for public consultation alongside the 2021–22 proposed CRIS. 
 

New Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) rules commence 

Small to medium exporters will be able to apply for grants of up to $770,000 per applicant under the new EMDG rules. To find out more about the changed rules and see if you are eligible to apply, go to the Austrade website. 
 

Agricultural export legislation: post-commencement review

Australia’s new agricultural export legislation, comprising the Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control Rules 2021, commenced on 28 March 2021. 

Government is seeking feedback from industry on how well it engaged with stakeholders in the development of the new legislation. 

Provide your feedback via a short survey using the online form. The survey is open until COB 15 July.
 

Market Access Advice: Taiwan and Great Britain 

The Department has notified seafood exporters of expanded market access to Taiwan, taking effect on 26 July 2021. 

Under the new arrangement, all export registered establishments approved to prepare fish and fish products for export by the department now have access for fish and fish products under the following HS codes:

-  03: Fish and crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates
-  1604: Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs       and fish, whole or in piece, but not minced:
-  1605: Crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved

Live fin fish and crustaceans, and chilled/frozen un-eviscerated fish products are subject to additional quarantine requirements.

See more: MAA 2021-13: Taiwan: Fish: Access to export fish and fish products to Taiwan

The Department has advised of changes to export certification requirements for fishery products exported to Great Britain. Revised certificates were made available on 30 June. Current health certificates will be valid if issued up to and including 30 June 2021.

See more: MAA 2021-12: Great Britain: Dairy, Fish, Honey and edible non-prescribed goods

IFAM updates

The IFAM flight schedules have been updated with the latest details on IFAM-supported flights.

Recent changes to outbound flights include: 

- A new Air New Zealand service from Melbourne to Los Angeles commencing 6 July
- A new Qantas service from Melbourne to Los Angeles commencing 7 July 
- A new Qantas service from Sydney to Los Angeles commencing 8 July 
- An additional flight for the existing Japanese Airlines service from Melbourne to Narita
- An additional flight for the existing Japanese Airlines service from Melbourne to Seoul Service (Via Narita)
 

Full details can be found in the IFAM Flight Schedule Outbound and IFAM Flight Schedule Inbound.
 

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

This Bulletin is 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.