Following notification from Finland on 31 July 2026 to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of an outbreak of ASF, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is working to assess and manage the biosecurity risk to Australia.

African swine fever is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, causing severe illness and high mortality. It is not transmissible to humans but has major economic impacts by disrupting pork production and trade. Strong biosecurity and movement controls are essential to prevent its spread across borders.

To help manage the biosecurity risk to Australia, the department has made an immediate change to remove Finland from the:

• List of countries approved for pig meat

• List of countries approved for natural casings derived from porcine animals

• List of countries approved for suid (porcine) fluids and tissues.

Impacted goods include:

• uncanned or retorted pig meat from Finland

• porcine casings sourced from Finland

• laboratory goods containing porcine fluids and tissues (including but not limited to animal fluids and tissue, culture media and other lab materials) sourced from Finland

• veterinary and human therapeutics containing ingredients sourced from Finnish pigs.

The department will also be in contact with permit holders and permit applicants if there are any changes required to your import permit.

Any goods in transit will be held and assessed on a case-by-case basis. Generally, product manufactured prior to 17 June 2026 may be released from biosecurity control if suitable evidence can be supplied to biosecurity officers.

Product manufactured after 17 June 2026 may not be permitted entry into Australia and may be directed for re-export or destruction.

Importers and brokers that are unsure of the status of their goods should contact imports@aff.gov.au for advice before arranging for the export of any product to Australia.

Photo courtesy of DAFF

Story courtesy of IFCBAA & DAFF