Proposed Revision of Imported Dairy Product Biosecurity Recommendations in Australia

Australia's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry is considering revising its biosecurity recommendations for imported dairy products. The proposed changes aim to enhance the safety measures surrounding the importation of these products. 

On April 18, 2024, the Australian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry announced its intention to revise the biosecurity recommendations for imported dairy products. The feedback period for the proposed changes will last until June 17, 2024. The primary objectives of the revision include:

1. Risk assessment for diseases: The proposal emphasizes the assessment of risks associated with foot-and-mouth disease, sheep pox virus, and goat pox virus.

2. Minimum requirements for dairy products: The revised recommendations stipulate that milk should only come from healthy animals, and companies must have implemented written quality assurance plans for dairy production, collection, transportation, and processing (e.g., food safety plans). All facilities involved in the production process, except for labeling and storage, must be registered, approved, or recognized according to the requirements of relevant national food safety agencies. Additionally, during the processing stage, milk or dairy product components must undergo one of the following heat treatments: pasteurization at a temperature not lower than 72°C, maintained for at least 15 seconds; pasteurization at a temperature not lower than 63°C, maintained for at least 30 minutes; or treatment at a temperature not lower than 132°C, maintained for at least 1 second, as an alternative heat treatment equivalent to the milk pasteurization specified on the Australian import permit.

3. Pathogen-specific animal biosecurity measures: The proposal includes the removal of the portion concerning contagious pustular dermatitis virus as part of the minimum requirements for managing pathogens (adding contagious pustular dermatitis virus).

The revised recommendations aim to strengthen the biosecurity measures surrounding the importation of dairy products in Australia. By assessing risks associated with specific diseases and enforcing minimum quality and safety standards, the proposed changes aim to safeguard public health and ensure the integrity of the dairy industry.

Australia's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry is actively seeking feedback on the proposed revision to the biosecurity recommendations for imported dairy products. The suggested changes, focusing on risk assessment, minimum requirements, and pathogen-specific measures, aim to enhance the safety and quality of imported dairy products. Stakeholders and industry participants are encouraged to provide their feedback before the feedback period concludes on June 17, 2024. The revised recommendations, once implemented, will contribute to maintaining high standards of biosecurity and ensuring consumer confidence in the dairy industry.