According to news from SeafoodMedia on June 7, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) released the final report on the safety risk review of prawns imported from various countries for human consumption. The department has always attached importance to the safety risks of imported prawns.

When reviewing imported prawns, the DAFF considered international standards developed by the World Organization for Animal Health, relevant scientific information and recommendations provided by scientific experts, opinions provided by stakeholders, relevant industry practices, strict scientific review, as well as the findings of an independent study commissioned by the department.

The final report recommends that prawns and shrimp products continue to be allowed into Australia under the current enhanced import conditions phased in since 2017, subject to additional enhanced biosecurity measures.

These enhanced additional measures include:

- Ensure that all prawns and shrimp products are frozen;

- Set the minimum cooking temperature for cooked prawns;

- All imported raw prawns must be free of other pathogenic bacteria approved by the Australian official assessment.

For managing the biosecurity risks of raw prawns, the DAFF considers that there is still a need for WSSV and YHV testing of deheaded/shelled/gutted, pre-export and post-arrival frozen prawns.

once the DAFF completes consultations with traders under WTO regulations, the enhanced measures will be implemented immediately. The department will continue to closely monitor imported prawns and shrimp products to ensure that they meet Australia's import conditions. And properly manage biosecurity risks.