The Australian Assessment Process for BSE Country Categorisation
What is the basis for the country assessment process?
An amendment to the Food Standards Code approved by the Ministerial Council in July 2001 required all beef and beef products sold in Australia to be derived from cattle that are free of BSE ( Standard 2.2.1, Clause 11 ). To implement these requirements, Australia implemented a system of certification whereby the exporting country certifies they have taken the appropriate steps to ensure that its cattle are free of BSE. The extent of the certification required is dependent on the outcome of the country assessment process.
Countries are assessed by the Australian BSE Country Categorisation Committee (ABCCC) who undertake an evidence-based risk assessment, drawing on data supplied by the Competent National Government Authority of the exporting country, and consider the outcomes of similar risk assessments undertaken by comparable overseas agencies. The country assessment process is based on a combination of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code set out in Article 2.3.13.2 and the Geographical BSE Risk (GBR) assessment framework established by the European Commission (EC). Based on the outcome of the country assessment process, the ABCCC will allocate countries to one of four categories for trade purposes. The categories are:
Category A (certification required) beef and beef products from these countries are regarded as posing a negligible risk to human health.
Category B (certification required) - these countries, while not reporting cases of BSE, may have been exposed to high risk factors, such as the importation of high-risk meat and bone meal.
Category C (certification required) - countries in this category are known to have considerable exposure to BSE risk materials, but have not reported indigenous cases of BSE.
Category D - beef and beef products from countries in this category pose the highest level of risk and will be refused entry to Australia. These countries will have reported cases of indigenous BSE in their herds.
Consignments of beef and beef products from category D countries cannot be imported. Products from category B and C countries can only be imported if the national authority can certify that the product is derived from animals not exposed to BSE risk and if specific risk materials have been excluded from the food chain.
Who is responsible for BSE country categorisation?
FSANZ, (then ANZFA) established the Australian BSE Country Categorisation Committee (ABCCC) to assess the data supplied for the risk assessments and assess countries as outlined above. This committee has expertise in food safety, epidemiology and animal health and interacts with other international agencies involved in country risk assessments for BSE.
What is the country assessment process?
All countries seeking to export beef and beef products to Australia must be go through the country assessment process. For the assessment the country seeking to trade must submit completed answers to the questionnaire Australian questionnaire to assess BSE country status . This questionnaire seeks information regarding:
- Bovine populations
- Bovine and MBM trade
- Animal feed
- Meat and bone meal bans
- Specified risk material bans
- Surveillance of BSE
- Rendering and feed processing
- Slaughtering methods
Completed questionnaires must be in English.
What data sources will be acceptable?
The risk assessments will be based on the information supplied by countries on completion of the questionnaire and the validity of this data will be the responsibility of the Competent National Government Authority of the country seeking assessment. Where there is insufficient information, the Competent National Government Authority will be contacted by the ABCCC to provide additional information. If further data cannot be supplied or the information cannot be verified by the in-country inspection, then a conservative approach will be taken by the ABCCC in the assessment process. Publicly available resources such as EUROSTAT will be used as additional data sources and to verify data supplied by Competent National Government Authorities.
How long will the assessment process take?
The assessment should be completed within six months of receipt of a completed questionnaire by the ABCCC. This time period will be dependent on the completeness, quality and consistency of the data supplied.
How will countries be notified of their trading requirements?
The assessment report with an interim category will be sent to the nominated contact point provided by the country seeking categorisation. Countries then have the opportunity to provide additional information and data to the ABCCC. The ABCCC will review any additional data and information provided and a final trading category will be determined with the report being sent to the country’s nominated contact point.
Will country categories be published on the Internet?
The trading requirements for a particular country will be made available one week after a country has been formally notified of those trading requirements. These will be posted on the AQIS website . This will provide information to both prospective exporters and importers for the entry of foods containing bovine products.
What is the mechanism for review?
Should a country be dissatisfied with its assessment, or have further relevant data, the ABCCC will review its assessment.
Can Australia initiate a review?
Yes, the ABCCC will also review a country’s assessment if the situation with respect to BSE significantly changes or if new information regarding BSE comes to light.
Where should the completed questionnaire be sent?
A completed questionnaire and the contact details for the Competent National Government Authority of the submitting country should be forwarded to:
Ms Amanda Hill
Chairperson
Australian BSE Country Categorisation Committee
C/- FSANZ
55 Blackall St
Barton ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
Enquiries, further information or clarification on any aspects of the questionnaire or the country categorisation process should be directed to: [INSERT EMAIL OF CONTACT].
Further information regarding BSE can be found at the following site:http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodmatters/bovinespongiformencephalopathybse/index.cfm