Countries approved by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) for the export of products to Australia where freedom from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is required

Importers, customs (they will get it right one day) brokers and AQIS Officers are advised that the following countries have been assessed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and approved for the purpose of exporting products to Australia where, amongst other things, freedom from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is required.

Products to which this list applies includes some dairy products, untanned hides & skins, wool, natural sausage casings, coir peat and plant-based stockfeed.

This list will be implemented across all affected products on Monday 19 September and relevant ICON cases will also be appropriately amended on this date.

Queries regarding affected animal-derived products should be directed to the Biological Imports Program:

Phone: (02) 6272 4578
Email: biologicals@aqis.gov.au

Queries regarding affected plant-derived products (coir peat, plant-based stockfeed) should be directed to the Plant Products Program:

Phone: (02) 6272 3917
Email: plantquar@aqis.gov.au

Development of the DAFF FMD Approved Country List

This list of countries is based on an assessment by the DAFF of the FMD status of trading partners. This assessment takes into account a country's OIE FMD status but does not automatically accept a declaration to the OIE that a country is free from FMD until DAFF independently assesses and verifies this information. DAFF also takes into account the country's overall animal health status and animal production, inspection and certification systems including the ability of the competent authority to prevent FMD outbreaks.

Imports of FMD risk products will ONLY be permitted from the countries listed below, unless alternative conditions exist to address the FMD risk associated with the importation of these products from unapproved countries.

Countries not listed are either FMD affected or have not sought and/or have not been assessed by DAFF for access of FMD risk products to Australia.

A country seeking recognition will need to undergo an evaluation by DAFF either as

• a new trading partner for FMD risk products, and having limited trade history with Australia, or
• recovering from an FMD outbreak or improving their World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) status.

The DAFF assessment process will commence with the provision by the country of a detailed technical submission to DAFF supporting any claim for country freedom from FMD without vaccination. This should include all information regarding FMD status and controls provided to the OIE and any other general relevant information on animal health status and controls.

For further information regarding DAFF's FMD country assessment process, please contact DAFF's Animal Biosecurity Branch:

Animal Biosecurity Branch, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, GPO Box 858, ACT 2601, Australia

DAFF FMD Approved Country List

List last updated 16 May 2011.

*These countries are approved only for the export of plant-based stockfeed products and will require further assessment for access for other FMD risk products.