PUBLIC consultation is open on proposed amendments to the Export Control Rules 2021 that concern meat and livestock producers and exporters.

Amendments are proposed to the rules for meat, wild game, poultry, rabbit and ratite, plant, organic goods and animals.

Feedback is being sought from primary producer, exporters and anyone who works in agricultural exports and the consultation closes on 30 November 2021.

Deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, David Hazlehurst said the consultation was part of a six-month review into the new legal framework for agricultural exports.

“Earlier this year we introduced a new legal system for agricultural exports, the Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control Rules 2021.

“We’ve reviewed the rules to make sure everything is working as intended, and now we’re considering some refinements,” Mr Hazlehurst said.

“Most of the proposed changes are minor, with some more substantial amendments to the rules for Meat and Plant exports.

“We want to modernise our export regulation, making it easier for exporters to comply, while protecting Australia’s reputation as a world leader in trade and continuing to comply with importing country requirements,” he said.

“And the best way we can achieve this is through feedback from the frontline.

“If you’re a farmer, primary producer, an exporter, or someone who works in agricultural exports, we want to hear from you.”

The new legal framework for agricultural exports, the Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control Rules 2021 (the Rules) began on 28 March 2021.

The department said the changes to the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) Rules 2021 will give effect to an approach agreed with industry where meat inspection activities will be delivered by Food Safety Meat Assessors only where required by an importing country.

The changes to the Export Control (Plant and Plant Products) Rules 2021 will improve regulatory arrangements for inspecting vessels exporting Australian grain.

No amendments are proposed to the rules for eggs, fish, milk, wood and miscellaneous.

You can find out more about these changes and provide feedback by visiting the department’s Have Your Say platform.

The Have Your say page includes links to:

– the exposure draft Export Control Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Rules 2021, which sets out the proposed amendments to the rules for animals, meat, organic goods, plant, poultry, rabbit and ratite and wild game (the amending instrument)

– information sheets to explain the proposed amendments to those rules

– the Export Control Act 2020.

Source: DAWE.