Australia proposes interim import conditions for uncooked prawns for human consumption The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has determined that interim import conditions for uncooked prawns imported into Australia are required to manage the risks associated with infection by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). Australia's current import conditions for uncooked prawns (including freezing and head and shell removal) does not achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection (ALOP) for EHP. Interim import conditions are proposed to allow safe trade in uncooked prawns to continue and achieve Australia's ALOP. Pending consideration of comments received during the 60 day comment period, Australia is proposing that all uncooked prawns arriving in Australia from 1 July 2020 must be certified by competent authorities of exporting countries to have been deveined during processing (removal of the digestive tract that sits along the dorsal ridge of the prawn to at least the last shell segment and tail fan). Once the proposed interim import conditions are implemented, only prawn consignments that are verified to have undergone acceptable deveining, and that meet all other requirements for uncooked prawns, will be released from biosecurity control. The proposed import conditions for uncooked prawns would remain 'interim' while Australia finalises theReview of the biosecurity risks of prawns imported into Australia for human consumption as announced by Australia's Director of Biosecurity on 16 May 2017 (Biosecurity Advice 2017/07; G/SPS/N/AUS/422). The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment anticipates the draft report will be available for comment in mid‑2020. Australia's updated model health certificate for prawns and prawn meat for human consumption is attached, which includes the proposed additional wording (see Point 7.1 (2)) for competent authorities to certify that product has been deveined. Following the conclusion of the consultation period, trading partners are encouraged to implement required certification changes in a timely manner to prevent disruptions to trade from 1 July 2020. A further Biosecurity Advice and SPS notification will be issued following the consultation period. Comments on the proposed interim import conditions for uncooked prawns can be provided until 28 April 2020 and should be directed to: Animal Biosecurity Branch Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment GPO Box 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601. Products Covered: Uncooked prawns for human consumption HS code:03 Proposed date of adoption:1 July 2020 Proposed date of entry into force:1 July 2020 Final date for comments:1 May 2020 | 
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