Biosecurity (Suspended Goods - Uncooked Prawns) Amendment (Exceptions) Determination 2017

On 6 January 2017, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources suspended the importation of uncooked prawns (including prawn meat) under the Biosecurity (Suspended Goods - Uncooked Prawns) Determination 2017. This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).
Following review and assessment, the department has amended the Determination to exempt a number of prawn and prawn products that have been deemed to present a low-risk of introducing prawn diseases into Australia, thus reinstating the ability to import these goods into Australian territory.
The goods concerned are:
- dried prawns and shelf-stable prawn-based food products;
- irradiated bait for aquatic use, pet fish food and aquaculture feed; and
- uncooked prawns sourced from Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Australian caught prawns are not exempt if they have been exported to another country for processing.
The amendment of the Determination can be found at https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00094