Reforming Australia’s
Export Certification System
ABARES Outlook Conference 2011
Dean Merrilees
General Manager – Export Standards Branch
Challenges Ahead
• Increased global trade
• Advances in science and technology
• National approaches may no longer be effective
• Changing risk profile
• Consumers and industry demanding a greater say
• Increasingly diverse food safety & nutrition issues
• Traceability increasingly an essential part of the
food chain
• Resource constraints
The need for reform is clear!
ECRP – What is it?
• Export Certification Reform Package (ECRP)
– $127.4 m to promote efficiencies and improve
productivity in delivery of export certification
services .
• ECRP funding comprises:
– $16.1 m for supply chain & regulatory reform
– $26.0 m for meat inspectorate reform
– $85.3 m for transitional funding.
• A new set of export fees and charges to return
industry to full cost recovery.
• Industry and government working together to
position Australia as a world leader in export
certification systems.
Policy Principles for Reform
• Level of regulation continues to meet importing
country requirements
- market access is maintained!
• Ensure cost effectiveness of service delivery.
• Explore and implement technology opportunities.
• Regulatory model is supported in legislation.
• Key performance indicator data is collected.
• Robust verification regime.
ECRP – Progress to date
• Six joint Industry-AQIS Ministerial Taskforces established
(dairy, fish, grains, horticulture, live animals, meat)
• Broad reform agenda presented to Minister
• Senate disallowed new export fees
− ECRP halted due to budget constraints
• ECRP recommenced after Senate rescission
− new fees commenced/return to full cost recovery
• Each MTF developed detailed work plan to implement their
reform agenda – implementation underway
• Industry MTF Chairs meeting regularly to discuss lessons
learnt and opportunities for common projects
Six Joint Industry-AQIS
Ministerial Taskforces
AQIS/CPSU Consultative Committee (meat only)
Service
Delivery
Market
Access
Information,
Communication
& Technology
Regulatory
&
Legislation
Cost Recovery
Arrangements
Export Reform Branch
Governance, project management, communications, finance, secretariat, reporting
Food Exports Branch / Live Animal, Plant and Horticulture Export Programs/
Regional Management
Technical, operational and implementation
Features of Future
Service Delivery Model
• Consistent with Australian export legislation, importing
country requirements and relevant international standards.
• Expanded role for AQIS authorised officers/inspectors
(AAO/AAIs).
• Levels of AQIS intervention based on risk and performance.
• Key Performance Indicators provided by establishments.
• Audit Management System and other ICT enhancements.
• National standards for auditors to improve consistency in
service delivery.
• Exact model varies across commodities.
AQIS Authorised
Officers/Inspectors
• Australian government officials authorised under Australian
legislation
• Must receive formal training and be assessed as competent.
• Must be a ‘fit and proper’ person.
• Legally bound by a ‘Deed of Obligation’.
• Works to AQIS Standard Operating Procedures and Work
Instructions.
• Must meet inspection performance standards.
• Performance assessed though verification by AQIS.
• No conflict of interest/interference from company.
Benefits of Future Service
Delivery Model
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
AQIS presence at all establishments realigned to minimum
level required to meet importing country requirements.
Existing market access maintained (and enhanced where
possible).
Enhanced overall efficiency and effectiveness of export
certification programs.
Flexible, responsive systems that better support industry.
Greater consistency in inspection and audit, reduced
duplication of audit effort.
Enhanced verification to target measures of performance.
Reduced dependence on ‘end point’ inspection.
Collection of performance data through AMS establishes
national trends and enables analysis.
Need more information?
ECRP website
www.daff.gov.au/ecrp
Dean Merrilees
General Manager, Export Standards Branch
dean.merrilees@daff.gov.au, 02 6272 5254