Resolve the Australian ban on the importation of whole frozen Portuguese sardines
Resolve the Australian ban on the importation of whole frozen Portuguese sardines
The issue
Petition Regarding the Ban on Australian Import of Whole Portuguese Sardines
In 2022, the Australian Department of Biosecurity identified contaminants in a range of imported whole finfish, including the Portuguese sardine (Sardina pilchardus). As a result, the importation of whole frozen Portuguese sardines was banned after nearly 30 years of availability in Australia.
The implications of this ban for the Portuguese community in Australia are significant.
The whole sardine is a cultural and traditional Portuguese symbol. It lies at the heart of Portuguese cuisine and cultural events that date back hundreds of years. The image of the sardine permeates Portuguese art, culture, cuisine, and fashion. It is also a major contributor to the Portuguese export economy.
In Australia, the loss of access to this food staple in its frozen whole form has had a serious impact on the dietary and cultural practices, community events, and hospitality businesses of the Portuguese community.
The Australian Biosecurity branch has stated in writing that exporting countries (eg; Portugal) seeking to use alternative risk management measures can provide a submission for consideration by the department. The submission must include supporting scientific evidence that explains how the biosecurity risk will be managed.
This petition calls on the Portuguese Government and its Australian based diplomatic representatives to engage with Portuguese scientists, Portuguese commercial fisheries and Portuguese Frozen Fish exporters. The aim of the engagement is to develop a submission which is scientifically backed with evidence to identify how Australian biosecurity risks will be managed for the purpose of enabling whole frozen Portuguese sardines imported to Australia, to meet the equivalent biosecurity measures currently in place by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
The expected outcome of the submission process is for the lifting of the ban on the importation of whole frozen Portuguese sardines.
1,435
The issue
Petition Regarding the Ban on Australian Import of Whole Portuguese Sardines
In 2022, the Australian Department of Biosecurity identified contaminants in a range of imported whole finfish, including the Portuguese sardine (Sardina pilchardus). As a result, the importation of whole frozen Portuguese sardines was banned after nearly 30 years of availability in Australia.
The implications of this ban for the Portuguese community in Australia are significant.
The whole sardine is a cultural and traditional Portuguese symbol. It lies at the heart of Portuguese cuisine and cultural events that date back hundreds of years. The image of the sardine permeates Portuguese art, culture, cuisine, and fashion. It is also a major contributor to the Portuguese export economy.
In Australia, the loss of access to this food staple in its frozen whole form has had a serious impact on the dietary and cultural practices, community events, and hospitality businesses of the Portuguese community.
The Australian Biosecurity branch has stated in writing that exporting countries (eg; Portugal) seeking to use alternative risk management measures can provide a submission for consideration by the department. The submission must include supporting scientific evidence that explains how the biosecurity risk will be managed.
This petition calls on the Portuguese Government and its Australian based diplomatic representatives to engage with Portuguese scientists, Portuguese commercial fisheries and Portuguese Frozen Fish exporters. The aim of the engagement is to develop a submission which is scientifically backed with evidence to identify how Australian biosecurity risks will be managed for the purpose of enabling whole frozen Portuguese sardines imported to Australia, to meet the equivalent biosecurity measures currently in place by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
The expected outcome of the submission process is for the lifting of the ban on the importation of whole frozen Portuguese sardines.
1,435
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Petition created on 19 September 2025