Australian veto of RI food itams 'hurts exports'

JAKARTA (JP): The Australia quarantine authority's rejection of several food imports from Indonesia over the past few years is a blow to the confidence of the latter country's exporters, a report says.

Issued by Indonesia's Directorate General of Industry and Trade Institutional Relations, the report revealed that at least 55 consignments from Indonesia in the last five years were stopped by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service using holding orders.

"Although the value was relatively small, ranging from A$100 to A$12,000 each, this will psychologically affect Indonesian exporters. They will be reluctant to export their products to Australia," the report said as quoted by Antara on Wednesday.

Products included legumes, canned prawns, fresh edible mushrooms, instant coffee, chili sauce, chocolate powder, sauce made from shrimp paste, tinned sardines, sweet soy sauce, margarine, chips and instant noodle.

Reasons for the quarantine problems included excessive preservative content or use of other harmful substances. Others encountered difficulties because names and addresses of importers were missing from containers.

Indonesian dairy products are prohibited from entering Australia, the report said.

The Indonesian government has repeatedly called on the Australian government to ease its quarantine rules for Indonesian products to improve bilateral trade.

The Australian government responded that strict quarantine on some imported food products such as vegetables, fresh fruits and dairy products were necessary to protect local consumers.

In addition to quarantine rules, the report said the Australian government has put in place the Food Standard Code for all imported foods and beverages.

Exporters must have their products inspected and tested by the quarantine office to qualify for the standard. The exporters have to pay all fees related to the inspection.

Fees differ from country to country, depending on whether the exporting country has a bilateral agreement on certification with Australia. Indonesia does not have such an agreement.

The report said Indonesia had asked technical assistance from Australia on obtaining a bilateral agreement on certification to improve the competitiveness of Indonesia's exports of food products to that country. (29)