Japan has joined the United States in banning poultry imports from Victoria, as the state works to control two outbreaks of avian influenza.
Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has confirmed to the ABC that both countries have introduced temporary suspensions.
“The commodities affected and the extent of any temporary suspension can vary and the department remains engaged with relevant trading partners in providing information on this ongoing situation noting the current outbreak is contained to two poultry farms in Victoria,” a spokesperson said.
Australian Chicken Growers Council CEO, Dr Joanne Sillince, said Japan and the United States were two of several countries to suspend Victorian poultry.
“Countries reserve their right to withhold, suspend or restrict trade from any country that has a disease outbreak of significance,” she said.
“They’ve got their domestic audiences and farmers to look after – and they wanna be reassured that there is no real issue.”
“So of course there will be countries say they’ll put a temporary ban on your product, then when [Australia] gets it sorted out they’ll come back to us and take the ban away.”
“We’ve done it from countries when they’ve had outbreaks so there is nothing terribly surprising.”
Dr Sillince said the export bans are unlikely to have a noticeable affect on the industry’s bottom line, as most fresh poultry products are grown for the local market.
“It’s not a huge issue. Australia does do a bit of export trade in chicken products and eggs but it’s not a lot compared to, for example, beef and lamb,” she said.
“Chicken meat is almost entirely for domestic consumption, with the exception largely of chicken feet, which are traded internationally as they’re a delicacy in some cultures.”
Minimising trade implications
Australia’s DAFF notified the World Organisation of Animal Health of the detection of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Victoria in accordance with international obligations.
“The outbreak was confirmed on 22 May 2024 and it is too early in the eradication response to be speculating on the extent of any further trade impacts and when decisions taken by trading partners in accordance with international obligations may be review,” the DAFF spokesperson said.
As a result of the change in Australia’s animal health status, DAFF has also placed a temporary suspension of certification of affected poultry and poultry products.
“The response has been nothing short of fantastic, the Commonwealth and state government has moved very very quickly,” Dr Sillince said.
“DAFF is working very hard to have those trade bans restricted only to Victoria.
“Now that might make Victorians grumpy in the short term, but for the small amount of commodity that is being traded it keeps that trade going.”
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