Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

AQIS has routinely tested prawns and aquaculture fish from all countries for some antimicrobial compounds for several years. Imported seafood tested for those antimicrobials have shown above 95 per cent compliance. If consignments of imported seafood are found to contain antimicrobial residues, they are not allowed to enter the domestic market. In addition to routine testing, AQIS recently conducted a snapshot survey of imported seafood from all countries for a wider range of pesticides and antimicrobial compounds on samples taken between April 2006 and March 2007.

The purpose of the survey was to check for a range of antibiotic and pesticide residues not included in the current testing program. AQIS received the results from the testing laboratory on 21 June 2007. They were collated and sent to Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 5 July 2007 for assessment. No pesticides were detected; however, the survey results showed that some imported seafood products contained antimicrobial residues not permitted in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The antibiotic residues detected were at very low levels; however, they still represent a compliance breach of Australia’s food standards.

The draft report of the survey results have also been provided to the National Health and Medical Research Council for their advice on the risk to public health and safety. Comments from FSANZ and the NHMRC will form part of the final report. In the interim, AQIS will include a wide range of antimicrobial chemicals in its testing program for imported seafood. This will be implemented very shortly. The new testing requirements, which are based on the results of this survey, are a measured approach that reflects the Australian requirements and food safety standards.

I remind the Senate that seafood is a health food that a lot of people are very anxious to partake of because of its overwhelming health benefits, and therefore we as a government are concerned to ensure that public confidence in seafood can be maintained. The science is overwhelming in relation to the benefits. What we want to do is to ensure that consumers are not turned off from seafood, which is overwhelmingly to their benefit, whilst also ensuring that imports in particular are monitored to ensure that consumers are protected from the matters that the honourable senator referred to.