FMD Outbreak in Hungary affecting Hungary and Slovakia

Notification was received from Hungary on 7 March 2025 of an FMD outbreak in Hungary affecting Hungary and Slovakia.

IFCBAA has been in communication with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to determine what this means for impacted commodities arriving into Australia. This concerning development comes on the heels of January’s announcement of an FMD outbreak in Germany.

DAFF is working to assess the biosecurity risk to Australia and what this might mean for import conditions for the following impacted commodities:

  • Dairy that is sourced, manufactured or exported from Hungary or Slovakia.
  • Personal dairy and beef food items imported as passenger personal effects or through the mail into Australia from Hungary or Slovakia.
  • Reproductive material derived from cattle, sheep, goats, zoo bovids, giraffe or elephants sourced or exported from Hungary or Slovakia.
  • Veterinary therapeutics containing or derived from bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine or camelid materials sourced, manufactured or exported from Hungary or Slovakia.
  • Pet food and stock feed containing or derived from bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine or camelid materials sourced, manufactured or exported from Hungary or Slovakia.
  • Laboratory goods containing bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine and camelid fluids and tissues (including but not limited to test kits, animal fluids and tissues, culture media, foetal bovine serum, environmental samples and other laboratory materials) sourced, manufactured or exported from Hungary or Slovakia.

To help mitigate the risk to Australia, Hungary and Slovakia have been removed from the list of FMD-free countries.

The department has amended its FMD free list to reflect Hungary’s new FMD status and that the Department considers that Hungary’s status is currently affecting Slovakia. Any commercial dairy consignment or personal quantities of dairy and beef food items from Hungary or Slovakia will be held under biosecurity control, effective immediately.

Over the coming days the department will undertake a detailed assessment of all traded goods from Hungary or Slovakia and may introduce additional import restrictions for commodities, including pet food, stock feed, laboratory reagents and reproductive material.

More information will be made available via BICON alerts, industry advice notices and other official communication channels as this risk assessment progresses.

The department will also directly contact with any permit holders or permit applicants impacted by this outbreak to advise of any potential changes to import conditions that may be required to protect Australia’s livestock production industries.

Goods in transit – any goods in transit will be held and assessed on a case-by-case basis. Generally, product manufactured prior to the 3 February 2025 may be released from biosecurity control if suitable evidence can be supplied to biosecurity officers.

Product manufactured after 3 February 2025 may not be permitted entry into Australia and may be directed for re-export or destruction. Importers and brokers that are unsure of the status of their goods should contact [email protected] for advice before arranging for the export of any product to Australia.

Please click Read More to view IIAN 67-2025 in its entirety.

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Empty Container Park Fees

Operators of empty container parks in Sydney and Melbourne have announced they are (again) increasing their charges for receiving and dispatching empty containers to and from their facilities.

The new rate will be $ 235.00 per container effective from 17th March, 2025, at this time there has been no announcements from empty parks in other states, we will monitor and keep you advised of any further updates.

Shipping Update

Cyclone Alfred of Australian Coast

Please be advised that Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to bring severe weather to Brisbane and its surrounding areas throughout this week.

In response to the high winds and associated risks to pilotage, Brisbane Ports have suspended all services until further notice.

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has suspended inbound vessel arrivals to the Port of Brisbane due to heavy swells since late Sunday under direction from Maritime Safety Queensland’s (MSQ) Regional Harbour Master. Final outbound transits were completed on Monday morning for a number of vessels.

This suspension may result in vessel delays and scheduling adjustments.

GPSM are monitoring the situation and will advise clients affected on further updates asap.

ILA Votes to Ratify New US Dockworkers Contract

More than 45,000 U.S. dockworkers represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) ratified a six-year contract, securing a 62% wage hike and averting potential disruptions until 2030.

The US Journal of Commerce reports the new contract bars implementation of full automation without human oversight. Rail-mounted gantry cranes can be utilized by terminals but will require human operator assistance.

The agreement, finalized with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), and approved by 99% of union members, follows a brief strike in October and will be signed on March 11, 2025. The terms are retroactive to October 1, 2024, when the prior contract expired.

Wage increases had been deferred after terms were reached in October until the full contract was completed.

The new contract covers approximately 35 ports from Maine to Florida and along the Gulf Coast. It runs till September 30, 2030.

Red Sea Ceasefire & Developments – Insight & Operational Implications

We have received the below updates on shipping from one of our industry partners as follows:

The Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) highlights key developments in global shipping following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, along with Yemen’s Houthi rebels easing restrictions in the Red Sea:

·     Red Sea Operations:

  • Houthi Commitments: Blockade lifted for non-Israeli-linked ships, with warnings of resumed hostilities if certain military actions occur.
  • Insurance and Risks: Safety and reduced war risk premiums are critical for a full operational return.

·     Shipping Lines’ Responses:

  • CMA CGM shows tentative interest in resuming operations, with a test transit planned. At this time it is a one-off operation.
  • Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd remain cautious, citing safety and cost concerns.
  • Broader industry remains hesitant due to uncertain ceasefire stability.

·     Market Impacts:

  • A phased return of Red Sea transits is expected, potentially affecting global shipping capacity and freight rates.
  • Adjustments like blank sailings and idling capacity may stabilize the market.

·     Key Challenges:

  • Resuming Red Sea routes.
  • Restructuring global shipping alliances.
  • Effects of US tariffs on trade.
  • Seasonal fluctuations like Chinese New Year.

Overall, while initial moves indicate progress, industry-wide confidence depends on geopolitical stability and reduced insurance risks.

Up-date to Foot and Mouth Germany

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) – Immediate Changes to Dairy and Other Imports from Germany

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced an immediate update regarding Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), removing Germany from the FMD-free list. This change impacts the importation of dairy products and other commodities sourced, manufactured, or exported from Germany. Effective immediately, personal, and commercial consignments, including those with valid import permits, will be held upon arrival in Australia.

Dairy Goods Not Impacted by the Change:

The following dairy products will remain unaffected by these new regulations:

  • Goods containing less than 10% dairy by dry weight (excluding added water) in each individually packaged unit
  • Chocolate and imitation chocolate
  • Clarified butter oil or ghee
  • Lactose and its derivatives

For more details on the specific import conditions, refer to the BICON case for Dairy.

Other Dairy Goods:

The department is working closely with the competent authority in Germany to assess and manage the biosecurity risk associated with FMD. Dairy products in transit that are impacted by the FMD outbreak will be held at the Australian border and assessed by biosecurity officers on a case-by-case basis.

Importers may be asked to provide evidence that the goods were manufactured before November 14, 2024, for release from biosecurity control.

Please note that the presence of FMD virus may persist in some dairy products due to processing methods like pasteurization, and contamination could occur if raw milk or infected dairy ingredients are introduced after processing. As such, products manufactured after November 14, 2024, may not be permitted entry into Australia, and could be directed for re-export or disposal.

Documentation Requirements:

Biosecurity officers may request additional documentation to support the assessment of the imported goods, including production dates. Importers should be prepared to supply necessary evidence.

Other Impacted Commodities:

In addition to dairy products, other commodities impacted by the FMD outbreak from Germany include:

  • Retorted meat-based foods (for personal use)
  • Jerky and biltong (for personal use)
  • Natural ovine and caprine casings
  • Reproductive material from cattle, sheep, goats, zoo bovids, giraffes, and elephants
  • Veterinary therapeutics derived from bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine, or camelid materials
  • Pet food and stock feed containing or derived from bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine, or camelid materials
  • Fertilizers and bioremediation products containing bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine, or camelid materials
  • Laboratory goods containing fluids or tissues from bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine, or camelid animals (including test kits, animal fluids, fetal bovine serum, and other laboratory materials)
  • Zoo bovids and elephants from Germany

NNF 2025/034 – Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in Germany – Update 1

The recent German Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) incursion is still a live situation that the department is following closely and adapting import conditions to manage the biosecurity risk posed by FMD while facilitating imports where safe to do so.

Goods that do not require country FMD freedom are not impacted by Germany’s FMD incursion, including:

  • goods containing less than 10% dairy by dry weight
  • chocolate
  • lactose when imported for human consumption

Goods that are impacted by Germany’s FMD incursion generally require an import permit, for example dairy. These goods will have a condition on the permit stating that the goods must be sourced, processed, manufactured and exported from FMD free countries.

Goods that meet the import permit conditions (i.e. are accompanied by a government issued health certificate attesting to Germany being FMD free) and have been manufactured before the 14 November will be assessed on a case-by-case basis but are likely to be eligible for import.

Goods that have been manufactured after 14 November (during Germany’s FMD exclusion period) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis but are unlikely to be allowed to be imported. Goods that are not eligible for import must be exported or disposed of as biosecurity waste.

Notes

  • Importers and brokers that are unsure of the status of their goods should contact [email protected]
    • Put in subject Line: German FMD <insert request>
  • Make sure documents, where appropriate, indicate clearly the last manufacturing date
  • Testing upon arrival for FMD is not an option

Please refer to NNF 2025/020 for the initial advice.

Weather Delays Thursday 16th January, 2025

Please be advised that due overnight storms, heavy rain and many power outages in the Sydney area last night and further heavy rain expected today, there are expected to be delays in container terminals and LCL depots resulting in deliveries and collection of containers to be behind scheduled times.

Our Transport Team are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates on any additional delays as necessary.