Digital reforms set to benefit honey exporters

Digital reforms that streamline the export certification process to Great Britain and the EU are set to benefit Australian honey exporters.

Certification for honey and apiculture exports from human consumption is now available via NEXDOC for England, Scotland, Wales and the European Union.

Honey exports to the European Union’s members and markets have moved to a digital electronic certification exchange (eCert). This allows a paperless exchange of certificates to make trade arrangements more simple, efficient and secure.

Without lengthy paper applications, processing times will be significantly reduced, according to Matt Koval, Acting Deputy Secretary of the Agricultural Trade Group within the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Koval said the move to eCert is part of the Department’s efforts to modernise and make digital reforms.

“More than 50 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,” he said.

NEXDOC will enable honey exporters to use a self-service functionality to lodge, amend and replace export certificates.

“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.

This transition is expected to contribute to the forecast record value of $75 billion for ag exports in 2022–23.

Image credit: iStock.com/NikolaStojadinovic