The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) have issued an advice notice to those who bring feathers, and articles that contain feathers, into Australia, whether commercially or privately. They have streamlined the number of categories from fifteen down to what they refer to as five ‘pathways.’
The first of these pathways is that of Personal Use. Under this category, feathers must be part of a manufactured article (e.g. pillows, dreamcatchers etc.), and each consignment is limited to a maximum of ten articles.
The second pathway covers commercial importation of manufactured articles containing feathers, while the other three pathways cover: loose feathers which are untreated; those treated at an approved offshore facility; or having an alternative treatment.
The acceptable treatment methods have been reduced and consolidated. Approved treatment methods (which mitigate all diseases of concern) are listed below. A government endorsed manufacturer’s declaration, health certificate or treatment certificate will be required attesting to the treatment applied to the goods. Reference to HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) will be removed as this is not the only disease of concern for these goods.  Ethylene oxide has been removed as it is not an effective treatment against all diseases of concern for these goods.
Approved Treatment Methods for Feathers
- Gamma irradiated at a dosage of 50 kGray (5 Mrad), or
- Moist heat to a minimum core temperature of 100°C for 30 minutes, or
- Autoclave sterilisation at 121°C for 15 minutes, or
- Autoclave sterilisation at 134°C for 4 minutes, or
- Washed thoroughly in detergent followed by formaldehyde fumigation for a minimum of 4 hours.
