Genetics

Genetics exporters face less red tape

Beef Central, 12/02/2015

Australian exporters of beef cattle genetics and genetic collection centres will benefit from improvements and streamlining of export processes for semen and embryo exports to major markets, the Federal Government says.

In a statement issued this morning, agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce welcomed the reduction in red tape for exporters through the simplification of export certification requirements.

Science DNA technology research“Each year Australia exports genetic material that contributes to our economy and to the strength of global genetics for cattle, sheep, goats, horses and canines. For example, in 2013-14 bovine semen exports were valued at $1.8 million,” Minister Joyce said.

The process to export genetic material includes complying with all importing country requirements. Australian exporters also must seek an export permit and health certification from the Department of Agriculture before any animal reproductive material can be sent overseas.

“The Australian Government is here to ensure our exporters remain competitive, so we’ve developed user-friendly templates for our major markets to help streamline the export process,” Minister Joyce said.

A specialised centre was established within the Department of Agriculture in July 2014 as part of reforms to the export of live animals and animal reproductive material just to handle these particular commodities.

The five major markets for Australian genetics exporters of cattle semen and embryos, horse semen, and sheep and goat semen and embryos are Canada, the EU, New Zealand, South Africa, and the US. These markets account for 70 percent of all genetic material exported from Australia.

In the coming weeks, exporters seeking to supply genetic materials to these markets can use the new templates. The new templates can be used by collection centre vets and embryo team vets applying for export certification. The templates are intended to help address the importing country requirements of Australia’s major genetic export markets, providing greater clarity on export requirements and reducing processing time.

The department says it will continue to develop additional templates for other genetic export markets to help simplify certification processes, helping to further reduce costs for exporters.

Information sessions for exporters and veterinarians on the export certification process will be held in major export centres in coming months.

For updates on session details or more about the export certification process for animal genetics visit the Department of Agriculture’s website www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/export/live-animals/reproductive-material

 

Source: Department of Agriculture 

 

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Comments

  1. Peter Vincent, 12/02/2015

    At long last….. the penny has dropped for one Federal department. Seventeen to go.

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