Australia has been notified that the Republic of South Africa (South Africa) has confirmed an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

FMD is not present in Australia and the introduction of this disease would have serious economic consequences for Australia's livestock industry. All cloven-hoofed animals (ungulates) are susceptible to FMD and include; cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, water buffalo, camel, bison, African buffalo, deer, antelope, reindeer, moose, llama, alpaca, vicuna, chamois, giraffe, wild boar, bush pig and warthog. Elephants and rhinoceros are known to be susceptible.

AQIS is undertaking measures to reduce the risk of introducing FMD into Australia.

As a result of the outbreak, a number of commodities derived from FMD susceptible species from South Africa are considered to pose a quarantine risk and will no longer meet current import requirements.

The commodities affected are embryos from cattle, sheep and goats.

Where there are existing conditions to manage the FMD risk from South Africa a case by case assessment will be undertaken and import permits may be varied. These measures are consistent with existing risk management measures for animal derived products sourced or manufactured in FMD affected countries.

The importation of certain types of animals and animal products are not permitted.

The goods listed below cannot be imported until further notice:

• embryos from FMD susceptible animals (including goats, sheep and cattle)
• live animals that are susceptible to FMD (rhinoceros)

Embryos from goats, sheep and cattle that have been imported in the past four months are being recalled into quarantine.

Australia does not import any live animals that are susceptible to FMD from South Africa, other than rhinoceros. There have been no imports of rhinoceros from South Africa for many years, and further importation has been suspended.

The following goods are not imported into Australia from South Africa, and continue to be prohibited:

• lightly processed cheeses
• milk products with more than 10% dairy content (including yoghurt, fresh milk, powdered milk)
• semen from FMD susceptible animals
• biological products produced from FMD susceptible species (veterinary and human pharmaceuticals, laboratory reagents)

Case by case assessment of animals and animal products.

The following products may continue to be imported from South Africa if they comply with existing import requirements. Those requirements, as with all requirements for FMD affected countries, detail how the products are sourced or processed.

Products which require an Import Permit will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. For products not subject to an Import Permit the relevant ICON case conditions will continue to apply.

• processed meat and dairy products (e.g. prepared meals*, shelf stable/hermetically sealed/retorted meat and dairy products, flavours, infant formula, chocolate and confectionary, some highly processed cheeses)
• biological products from non susceptible species (veterinary and human pharmaceuticals, laboratory agents)
• canned and dried pet food
• scoured wool
• scoured animal hair and leather and products
• new and used saddles, harness and tack
• second hand farming equipment used in rural areas
• live animals which are not susceptible to FMD

*Prepared meals must be retorted in a process equivalent to 100°C for 30 minutes.

Imports of dried milk powder and processed cheese.

Personal consignments of infant formula from South Africa are still permitted for import.

Highly processed cheese can still be imported if the following conditions are met and are accompanied by a valid import permit:

• the milk used to make the cheese has been pasteurised (72°C for 15 seconds) and the cheese is stored for 30 days at or below pH6; or
• the milk used to make the cheese has not been pasteurised and the cheese is stored for 120 days at or below pH6.

Continued vigilance
AQIS will continue to be vigilant when inspecting personal effects from South Africa. Particular attention will be given to shoes, outdoor sporting and leisure equipment and garden tools/ornaments. If soil is found on any items they will be cleaned, at the expense of the owner.

Goods in transit
Affected goods from South Africa that are in transit are to be held in quarantine until the goods can be assessed.

Affected goods that cannot meet the varied import requirements may need to be re-exported or destroyed.

For further information please contact

Biological Imports Program - Food and food products, laboratory agents and animal derived products (excluding reproductive material)
Phone: (02) 6272 4578
Fax: (02) 6249 1798
Email: biologicals@aqis.gov.au

Live Animal Imports - Imports of animals and animal genetic material
Phone: (02) 6272 4454
Fax: (02) 6272 3110
Email: animalimp@aqis.gov.au

Machinery imports
Phone: (07) 3246 8706
Fax: (07) 3246 8785
Email: aqis.machinery@aqis.gov.au