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Draft import risk analysis report for Prawns
23 November 2006
BA06/02
Draft import risk analysis report for prawns
Biosecurity Australia has today issued a revised draft import risk analysis (IRA) report assessing the quarantine risks associated with importing prawns and prawn products into Australia.
Australia currently allows prawns and prawn products to be imported for human consumption subject to compliance with quarantine conditions intended to manage the risks of yellowhead virus, white spot syndrome virus and Taura syndrome virus. These conditions, which include health certification, on-arrival inspection, as well as testing for WSSV, were introduced progressively from 2000 on an interim basis while the comprehensive risk analysis was being completed.
The draft IRA report concludes that five of nine disease agents of potential quarantine concern require quarantine risk management measures if imports are to continue. These are:
- white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)
- yellowhead virus (YHV)
- infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV)
- Taura syndrome virus (TSV)
- necrotising hepatopancreatitis bacterium (NHPB).
- country or zone disease freedom; or
- removal of the head and shell and testing for WSSV, YHV and IHHNV; or
- a high level of processing for uncooked prawns, for example crumbed prawns, or pastries or dim sum-type products; or
- cooking product off-shore with acceptable certification or cooking on-shore under quarantine control.
Australia takes a conservative approach to quarantine and manages quarantine risks to a very low level.
Biosecurity Australia undertakes science-based risk analyses to assess any quarantine risks associated with applications to import agricultural and other commodities into Australia. The analyses play an important role in keeping Australia free from pests and diseases that occur in other countries.
Issuing the draft IRA report is a key step towards completing an import risk analysis. The report is being issued so that stakeholders can review it, be consulted about its content and provide comments, particularly on scientific and technical issues.
Biosecurity Australia is providing all interested stakeholders with an extended comment period that closes on 21 February 2007. This gives stakeholders 90 days to submit comments, compared with the usual period of 60 days.
The extended comment period takes account of the need for stakeholders to have sufficient time to absorb and comment on the very substantial and detailed material contained in the report. Biosecurity Australia is also mindful that it is a very busy period for many stakeholders and wants to ensure stakeholders are not disadvantaged by seasonal holidays at this time of the year.
All submissions received on this draft IRA report will be taken into account by Biosecurity Australia before being considered by an Eminent Scientists Group. A final report, together with recommendations for a quarantine policy determination, will then be open to appeal before consideration by Australia's Director of Quarantine.
The draft IRA report is available on Biosecurity Australia's website: www.biosecurityaustralia.gov.au
Media contact: John Wilson
Biosecurity Australia
02 6272 3811
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