Australian honey exporters will benefit from new digital reforms that streamline the export certification process to Great Britain and the European Union.
On 30 March, certification for honey and apiculture exports for human consumption became available via NEXDOC for Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and the EU.
In a first, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry will remove a completely manual process to a digital electronic certification exchange (eCert). For honey exports to EU members and markets the paperless exchange of certificates will make trade arrangements simpler, more efficient, and more secure.
Under the new system, honey exporters will no longer have to submit lengthy paper applications to the department for their export certification, which Acting Deputy Secretary Matt Koval said would significantly reduce processing times.
“The move to eCert is part of the department’s digital reforms to modernise ag export trade systems, streamline processes and provide significant benefits to our honey exporters.
“More than fifty overseas markets have their export certification issued via NEXDOC for honey and apiculture products, and this will ensure that Australia’s high-quality agricultural products continue to meet the needs of trading partners around the world,” Koval said.
NEXDOC means honey exporters can use new self-service functionality to digitally lodge, amend, and replace their export certificates with minimal department intervention.
“This eCert connection with the EU enables a government-to-government exchange of Australia’s honey export certification. All countries part of the EU TRACES NT digital platform will now receive their certification electronically,” Koval said.
The transition to a digital certification process is expected to benefit honey exporters and contribute to the forecast record value of $75 billion for ag exports in 2022-23.
