Export Advisory Notice 2010-01- Memorandum of Understanding with Bahrain

Title: Memorandum of Understanding with Bahrain | 13 January 2010

Species: Cattle and Sheep

Country: Bahrain

Relevant to:

1. AQIS Live Animal Export Officers
2. Livestock Exporters
3. LiveCorp
4. AQIS Accredited Veterinarians

Purpose

1. To advise that the Governments of The Kingdom of Bahrain and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the trade in live animals.
   
   
2. To advise on the process and time frame for implementing the new requirements of the MoU for slaughter cattle and sheep exported from Australia to Bahrain.

Background

On 16 November 2009 the Governments of The Kingdom of Bahrain and Australia signed a MoU on the trade in live animals. The MoU applies to all consignments of sheep and cattle exported to Bahrain, departing Australia on or after 1 February 2010. There are a number of requirements in the MoU that exporters and AQIS live animal export officers need to be aware of, including:

b)  Revised health requirements for both slaughter cattle and slaughter sheep (as attached).

b) A requirement for Animal Wealth Department (AWD) in the Kingdom of Bahrain to issue an import permit for all consignments of cattle and sheep exported to Bahrain.

c) For shipments containing consignments to be unloaded at multiple ports, there is a preference for Bahrain to NOT be the first port of call. AQIS must notify AWD if Bahrain is scheduled to be the first port of call.

Instructions

1.  For all consignments of sheep and cattle exported to Bahrain, departing Australia on or after 1 February 2010 exporters must:

a) Submit an NOI and CRMP that demonstrates that the animals will meet the new importing country health requirements.

b) Ensure that an import permit is obtained from AWD and is presented to AQIS prior to export.

c) Ensure that the NOI list the ports of discharge in the correct order. If the order of discharge changes after the vessel has departed Australia and Bahrain becomes the first port of call, the exporter must ensure that the importer in Bahrain has notified AWD of the change. This information must also be included in the CRMP.

2.  For all consignments of sheep and cattle exported to Bahrain, departing Australia on or after 1 February 2010 AQIS must:

a) Notify AWD if Bahrain is scheduled to be the first port of call for the vessel no less than 5-7 days prior to the loading of the vessel in Australia.

b) Confirm that all sheep and cattle exported to Bahrain are prepared under the new health requirements and issue health certification meeting these requirements.

Garry Cullen
Manager
Live Animal Exports Program

Contact officer: Kate Makin
Ph: 02 6272 4581
Fax: 02 6272 5423
Email: Live Animal Exports