Background

Biosecurity plays an important role in the protection of the productive sector from incursions of pests and diseases which can reduce the availability of food.

In Vanuatu, it needs to be strengthened in order for Vanuatu to meet all international obligations and standards that enable trade to take place. Preparedness and response plans must be in place to address any incursions or outbreaks of pests and diseases.

Biosecurity Vanuatu works closely with other agencies, in particular the Customs Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Vanuatu needs to maintain its animal health status and export certification systems in order to improve its market access options.

Animal Health and Meat Hygiene Standards

The responsibility for ensuring that Vanuatu's animal health and meat hygiene standards are maintained, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and that importing countries specific hygiene standards are met, lies with the Vanuatu Government's Biosecurity Department.

Vanuatu needs to maintain its animal health status and export certification systems in order to improve its market access options. The stated policy aim is to ultimately be able to export Vanuatu beef to all the major import markets in the world.

Border Protection

Biosecurity Vanuatu is mandated to protect our borders from incursions of pests and diseases into Vanuatu as well as manage pests and diseases already present. It does this through ensuring that risks posed by imports to local plants and animals are managed at an acceptable level and through disease surveillance and control programs for pests and diseases already present in the country.

In addition Biosecurity Vanuatu facilitates market access through assurance of pest and disease freedom and food safety. The department also ensures that Vanuatu maintains its obligations to such international organizations/conventions as IPPC and the OIE.

Website

The Biosecurity Department have a website as of February 2017.

VISIT WEBSITE

Meat Industry (Amendment) Act No. 40 of 2000

Biosecurity Vanuatu has a key role in ensuring that all meat exports are subject to quality control and meat inspection systems as required by the Meat Act.

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Biosecurity Corporate Plan 2014-2018 Objectives

By the end of 2018, Biosecurity Vanuatu will improve its management by establishing systems that effectively manage the department and its human resource, infrastructure, assets and finances.

Administration

By the end of 2018, Biosecurity Vanuatu will have all the appropriate legal powers to carry out its mandates on border protection, food safety and pest and disease control.

Administration

By the end of 2018 Biosecurity Vanuatu will maintain and improve Plant Health management systems to protect Vanuatu's plant health and facilitate market access.

Plant Health Services

By the end of 2018, Biosecurity Vanuatu must effectively manage the importation and distribution of pesticides.

Pesticide Management

By 2018, Biosecurity Vanuatu will improve & strengthen border control activities at all ports of entry and be prepared to respond to exotic pest and/or disease incursions.

Border Control and Preparedness for Pest and Disease Incursions

By 2018 Biosecurity Vanuatu will improve and strengthen inspection and treatment of import & export products and increase revenue up to 100 million vatu.

Certification and inspection of imports and exports

By 2018 Biosecurity Vanuatu through the Animal Health unit maintains animal health status, maintains current markets for animals and animal products & facilitates access to new export markets.

Animal Health

By 2018, 100% of meat establishments in the six provinces are supplying safe and hygienic meat products.

Meat Hygiene