Australia revised its import regulations for dairy and aquatic products which took effect in November 2023.

For dairy products, effective 9 November 2023, commodities having less than 10% dairy content, no longer need Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF) approval to enter Australia. However, a manufacturer’s declaration or food product label stating that dairy content is less than 10% by dry weight (excluding added water) is required for biosecurity compliance. Products will be scrutinized for import compliance if documentation is missing or insufficient.

For aquatic products, Australia’s DAFF is requiring mandatory certification for bivalve mollusk and bivalve mollusk products issued by the recognized foreign government authority to be presented upon arrival of goods in Australia.

Products covered are clams, cockles, mussels, oysters, pipis, and scallops. However, certain products are exempt from the foreign government certification requirements, such as retorted and shelf-stable products, including condiments and sauces, as well as dried products, such as chilled soup mixes containing dried bivalve mollusks.

It is worth noting that the requirement on foreign government certificate does not apply to bivalve mollusks and bivalve mollusk products imported from New Zealand.

In 2022, the Philippines exported about USD 56,000 worth of dairy products to Australia while there were no recorded Philippine exports of mollusks.

Moreover, under Australia’s 2019 Imported Food Control Order, which specifies 25 risk commodities, importing beef, human milk, raw beef, and raw milk cheese also needs foreign government certification.

Philippine exporters are advised to comply with food safety regulations to ensure continued market access to Australia.

For Philippine government certifications, you may contact the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) at fiqd@bfar.da.gov.ph for aquatic products, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at foodsafety@fda.gov.ph for processed food products or EMB Market and Product Officers at mid@dti.gov.ph and famd@dti.gov.ph, respectively, for further queries. ♦

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