



50,000 shades of gray



Australia will be the first country to implement a scalable post-entry treatment approach to  imported animal products following a recent review that identifies and recommends doses of  gamma irradiation needed without reducing its effectiveness.

Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, welcomed the findings that will allow for lower gamma  irradiation levels to be applied to products where pathogens are known, while still managing  biosecurity risks to an acceptable level.

“The Department of Agriculture undertakes a spectrum of biosecurity measures offshore,  onshore and at the border to manage biosecurity risk pests and diseases from entering and  establishing in Australia. This includes applying treatments like heat treatment and gamma  irradiation to imported animal products,” Minister Joyce said.

“While the department will retain its standard level of gamma irradiation of animal products in  most circumstances, the review findings mean we will apply lower levels in certain  circumstances.”

“Having the capacity to scale down levels of gamma irradiation on imported animal products is  just another way we are modernising our approach in line with the latest science, while still  applying the appropriate risk management measure.

“This can reduce the costly imposition on importers to re-export or destroy products, if they  don’t meet Australia’s stringent import requirements.”

Animal products that can be treated with gamma irradiation include animal fibres, aquatic  animal feed, artefacts, hides, laboratory materials and specimens, pet food, skins and veterinary  medicines.

Minister Joyce said the Review of gamma irradiation as a treatment to address pathogens of  animal biosecurity concern—announced last year—considered balanced sources of information  on the radiosensitivity of pathogens.

“The review took into account current scientific evidence, standards and recommendations of  international bodies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the  International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organization,” Minister Joyce said.



“But let’s be clear, irradiation will not completely replace any current production process or  required treatment measures. Rather it will complement existing risk management measures to  ensure we continue delivering our modern, evidence-based approach to biosecurity  management.”

The review findings are for animal products, not plants or food for human consumption. Food is  subject to other rigorous import standards under the Australian New Zealand Food Standards  Code.

For more information about the treatments to address pathogens of animal biosecurity concern  visit the Department of Agriculture’s website agriculture.gov.au/ba/memos.

Media contact  Gerard McManus, 0477 391 580

