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 exporter's 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 an 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 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.

This STAG support service has been funded by the Department of Agriculture so Australian seafood exporters can get their product species on to the approved China List.

 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.
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