Australian veto of RI food itams 'hurts exports'

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)