Senator O'Brien asked the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, upon notice, on 12 July 1999:

(1) Since March 1996, how many imported aquatic products have been referred to the Australian New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to assess their fitness for human consumption.

(2) (a) What products were referred; (b) when were they referred; and (c) have the ANZFA assessments been completed; if so: (i) when was each assessment completed, and (ii) what were the main findings from each assessment process.

(3) Can a copy of each resulting report be provided.

(4) If any risk assessments are currently under way, in each case, what is the scheduled date for its completion.

Senator Alston (Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) —The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) Two.

(2) (a), (b), (c) (i).

Raw Prawns. Referred 10 November 1997. Assessment completed 2 December 1997.

Fish from East Africa. Referred 15 May 1999. Assessment continuing.

(2) (c) (ii), and (3) The ANZFA assessment of raw prawns concluded that only the detection of Vibrio cholera, serotypes 01 and 0139 would be considered a public health risk. For cooked prawns the presence of all serotypes of Vibrio cholera would be considered a public health risk. A copy of the advice from ANZFA is attached.

(4) ANZFA advise they will provide the results of their risk assessment on East African fish after testing is completed in August 1999.