Notifications for Australia (406 notifications)

Australia is replacing its current export documentation system, known as the Export Documentation System (EXDOC), with a new version called the Next Export Documentation System (NEXDOC). The change of system from EXDOC to NEXDOC will result in changes to official Australian Government export certificate templates for Australian agricultural goods.Australia’s export certification for edible meat and meat products such as meat, offal and meat products derived from cattle, buffalo, camels, goats, deer, sheep, pigs, horses and donkeys; wild game; rabbit; poultry and ratite (emu, ostrich) will soon transition to the NEXDOC system. This includes, where relevant, halal certification issued for halal meat and meat products.Australia has already transitioned a range of commodity specific export certification to the NEXDOC system including inedible animal products (October 2025), low-risk food items (May 2025), wool, skins and hides (November 2024), fish (September 2024), eggs (December 2023), honey (2022-2023), and dairy (May 2021).The planned changes do not affect bilaterally agreed information, conditions or attestations required by importing countries or the department’s regulatory controls over exports. However, there are minor changes to formatting and the location of some of this information on the export certificate template. Electronic certification (eCert) is not affected by the planned changes.The NEXDOC export certificate templates have unique Quick Response (QR) codes that provide consignment specific information border officials can use to confirm authenticity of the certificate in real-time. To verify the QR code, border officials scan the code through the official’s smart phone camera.Australia proposes NEXDOC export certificate and, where relevant, halal certificate templates will be issued for edible meat and meat products from 20 April 2026. There will be a transition period where both the EXDOC and NEXDOC certificate templates will be in use to allow for transit time (air and sea freight) to the port of destination.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has published the import conditions for fresh melon fruit from Japan, for human consumption. All varieties of melon fruit (Cucumis melo) are permitted to be imported. This includes muskmelon, rockmelon and honeydew melon. Import is not permitted for oriental melons (C. melo var. makuwa) and oriental pickling melons (C. melo var. utilissimus (syn. C. melo var. conomon)) from Japan.Fresh melons from Japan must be produced under pest area freedom for the fruit fly, Zeugodacus tau, to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia. Melon fruit from the Okinawa Prefecture are not permitted to be imported into Australia.Details are available on the department’s website, Import conditions for fresh melons from Japan and in BICON, BICON - Import Conditions

This Proposal seeks to amend Schedule 20 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align maximum residue limits (MRLs) relating to residues of agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals in food with: (a) the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority MRL Standard; (b) Codex Alimentarius Commission; and (c) other trading partner standards, following a rigorous assessment that the MRL is scientifically justified, risk-based, transparent as well as non-discriminatory.This Proposal also includes corrections of typographical and formatting errors, necessary to improve the integrity of Schedule 20.For further information, please contact the MRL Team at FSANZ (MRL.contact@foodstandards.gov.auAgvet chemicals where increased or new MRLs are being considered for specified plant commodities: Benzovindiflupyr, Bifenthrin, Boscalid, Broflanilide, Captan, Carbendazim, Carbofuran, Carfentrazone-ethyl, Chlorantraniliprole, Clofentezine, Clothianidin, Cyantraniliprole, Cyflufenamid, Cyflumetofen, Cyhexatin, Cypermethrin, Cyprodinil, Deltamethrin, Diafenthiuron, Difenoconazole, Diflubenzuron, Dimethenamid-P, Dimpropyridaz, Dinocap, Diuron, Emamectin, Etofenprox, Fenamidone, Fenbuconazole, Fenbutatin oxide, Florylpicoxamid, Flubendiamide, Fluopyram, Flutianil, Fluxapyroxad, Folpet, Fomesafen, Hexythiazox, Imazapyr, Indaziflam, Iprodione, Isocycloseram, Isoflucypram, Isotianil, Mefentrifluconazole, Mepiquat, Metalaxyl, Methiocarb, Metolachlor, Metsulfuron-methyl, Milbemectin, Napropamide, Novaluron, Oxathiapiprolin, Pendimethalin, Phorate, Phosmet, Pirimicarb, Prochloraz, Propiconazole, Pymetrozine, Pyridaben, Pyrimethanil, Pyriproxyfen, Pyroxasulfone, Quizalofop-P-tefuryl, Spiromesifen, Spiropidion, Sulfoxaflor, Tebuconazole, Tetraniliprole, Thiabendazole, Thiophanate-methyl, Tiafenacil, Trichlorfon, Tricyclazole and Triflumuron.Agvet chemicals where increased or new MRLs are being considered for specified animal commodities: 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, Cyantraniliprole, Florylpicoxamid, Fluopyram, Fluxapyroxad, Isocycloseram, Isotianil, Mepiquat, Methiocarb, Nicarbazin, Propiconazole, Pyrimethanil, Tetracycline and Tricyclazole.Agvet chemicals where deletions or reductions in MRLs are being proposed for specified plant commodities: Afidopyropen, Carbofuran, Chlorantraniliprole, Cyantraniliprole, Cyflumetofen, Cypermethrin, Difenoconazole, Diquat, Florylpicoxamid, Fluopyram, Fluxapyroxad, Glyphosate, Haloxyfop, Imidacloprid, Indoxacarb, Ioxynil, Iprodione, Linuron, Lufenuron, Metalaxyl, Methiocarb, Naphthalene acetic acid, Napropamide, Novaluron, Oxathiapiprolin, Penthiopyrad, Pyraclostrobin, Pyridaben, Pyrimethanil, Sulfoxaflor, Tebuconazole, Tetracycline and Thiabendazole.Agvet chemicals where deletions or reductions in MRLs are being proposed for specified animal commodities: Lufenuronand Tetracycline.New chemicals proposed for inclusion in schedule 20 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code are: Isoflucypram and Tricyclazole.Agvet chemicals where consequential amendments were required to (a) add or remove exceptions for some commodities; (b) correct typographical errors; (c) convert a temporary MRL to a permanent MRL; (d) amend or update the commodity name; but there are no changes made to MRLs: Acequinocyl, Afidopyropen, Azoxystrobin, Benzovindiflupyr, Bifenazate, Bifenthrin, Boscalid, Broflanilide, Bromacil, Captan, Carbaryl, Carfentrazone-ethyl, Chlorantraniliprole, Clothianidin, Cyflumetofen, Cyfluthrin, Cyhalothrin, Cypermethrin, Cyprodinil, Dicamba, Difenoconazole, Dodine, Fenbutatin oxide, Fenoxycarb, Flonicamid, Fluazifop-p-butyl, Flubendiamide, Fludioxonil, Fluopyram, Fluquinconazole, Flutriafol, Glyphosate, Hexythiazox, Imazalil, Imazapyr, Indoxacarb, Iprodione, Isocycloseram, Isofetamid, Lufenuron, Mefentrifluconazole, Metalaxyl, Metamitron, Metolachlor, Myclobutanil, Napropamide, Paclobutrazol, Pendimethalin, Phorate, Phosmet, Pydiflumetofen, Pyraclostrobin, Pyridaben, Pyrimethanil, Pyriproxyfen, Pyroxasulfone, Quizalofop-P-tefuryl, Spinetoram, Spiropidion, Sulfoxaflor, Tebufenozide, Tebufenpyrad, Tetraniliprole, Tiafenacil, Trichlorfon, Triforine.Agvet chemical where the residue definition is being updated: Azocyclotin, Cyhexatin and DicambaAgvet chemicals where a new or amended All other foods except animal food commodities MRL is being proposed: Cyflufenamid, Fenbutatin oxide, Fomesafen, Indoxacarb, Lufenuron, Mepiquat, Metsulfuron-methyl, Pyridaben, spiromesifen, Triflumuron and Triforine.

This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align the following maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various agricultural and veterinary chemicals so that they are consistent with other national regulations relating to the safe and effective use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals:Clothianidin, Fluazinam, Ipconazole, Isocycloseram, Mefentrifluconazole and Pyraclostrobin in specified plant commodities.

Biosecurity import conditions for the management of Brucella canis are being updated to align with the department’s policy review on the Importation of dogs and cats and their semen from approved countries (2013)The policy review determined that serological testing should be conducted at least one incubation period after the last mating or insemination. This requirement helps mitigate the risk that a dog may be incubating Brucella canis at the time of blood sample collection. Accordingly, dogs must not be naturally mated or artificially inseminated for at least 21 days before blood is collected for Brucella canis testing, and until export. This extends the previous requirement of 14 days.All import permits issued from 2 March 2026 onwards will reflect these updated conditions.

This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align the following maximum residue limit (MRL) for a veterinary chemical so that it is consistent with other national regulations relating to the safe and effective use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals: Florfenicol in ‘Salmon, Atlantic’ (WD 0893)

The following error and correction for notification G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.24 is outlined below.The link to the “Have Your Say” website should be: https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/khapra-beetle-pest-risk-analysisWe invite trading partners to submit feedback via our Have Your Say webpage. We will consider all comments received during the consultation period in preparing a final PRA report.

In June 2023, we published the final report: Review of the biosecurity risks of prawns imported from all countries for human consumption (prawn review). These are the standard import conditions for uncooked prawns:• Processed, with head and shell removed. Prawns may retain the last segment and tail fan.• Frozen and deveined.• Each batch is subject to testing for white spot syndrome virus and yellow head virus genotype 1. Testing occurs pre-export and on-arrival.Australia has obligations under Article 4 of the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) to recognize the existence of equivalent biosecurity measures. We have developed guidelines to provide our trading partners with the principles and criteria that Australia will use to evaluate a pre-export testing equivalence program for prawns. To recognize a pre-export testing equivalence program following consideration of a request from a trading partner, the department will undertake an evaluation of the exporting country’s competent authority. How to obtain a copy of the guideline documentFor any questions, or to obtain a copy of the pre-export testing guidelines please email aquaticbiosecurity@aff.gov.auTo receive information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses, subscribe to Biosecurity Risk Analysis Animal at subscribe.agriculture.gov.au/subscribe. Subscribers will receive biosecurity advice notices and other notifications about animal biosecurity policy.Dr Rochelle Prattley A/g Assistant Secretary, Animal Biosecurity Branch E-mail: animalbiosecurity@aff.gov.au

Release of the draft pest risk analysis for khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) – Part 1.The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released the draft pest risk analysis (PRA) for khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) – Part 1 for public consultation. The consultation is open for 92-calendar days and will close on 27 February 2026. We invite trading partners to submit feedback via our Have Your Say webpage. We will consider all comments received during the consultation period in preparing a final PRA report. As outlined in G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.22, we are delivering the PRA in 2 parts:Part 1 focuses on the plant product pathwayPart 2, addressing the sea container pathway, will be released separately.We initiated this PRA to:assess the risk of khapra beetleevaluate the effectiveness of the current emergency measures recommend ongoing measures to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP). The draft report and supporting information are available on our websiteWe will also host two online information sessions to present an overview of the report and answer questions. To attend, please register through Humanitix by selecting the “Register” button. Comment period: 27 November 2025 – 27 February 2026.

This proposal proposes to: -  Prohibit the retail sale of a food that is caffeine and prohibit the addition of caffeine to foods for retail sale unless expressly permitted;-  Expressly permit the addition of caffeine to formulated supplementary sports foods (FSSF), subject to compositional, packaging and labelling requirements.This proposal considers whether measures are required in relation to the regulation of caffeine in the Australian and New Zealand food supply in order to protect public health and safety. In particular the proposal is examining: the addition of caffeine to Formulated Supplementary Sports Foods (FSSF), foods in the general food supply and the extent of risk posed to vulnerable sub-populations.All proposals relating to changes in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code), must be assessed in the context of the following objectives: (a) the protection of public health and safety; (b) the provision of adequate information relating to food to enable consumers to make informed choices; and (c) the prevention of misleading or deceptive conduct. FSANZ must also have regard to the promotion of consistency between domestic an international foods standards.The objective and rationale is to amend the Code to protect public health and safety, with respect to the addition of caffeine to foods.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has updated import conditions in the department’s Biosecurity Import Condition database (BICON) for fresh whole mangosteens from Indonesia to include the option of an approved systems approach to manage ants, mealybugs and spider mites. The existing methyl bromide option to manage these pests will remain.An import permit for fresh mangosteen is required for both import options.

Australia has completed a Pest Risk Analysisof devitalisation requirements for fresh cut flower and foliage imports.This report is a continuation of the Final Report for the Pest Risk Analysis for Cut Flower and Foliage Imports - Part 1 (released on 21 June 2019) and Part 2 (released on 7 June 2021); refers to notifications G/SPS/N/AUS/435/Add.5 and G/SPS/N/AUS/435/Add.7.Further information on the risk analysis and draft report, including proposed changes to phytosanitary requirements, can be found via the following link: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/risk-analysis/plant/cut-flowers

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released the final Biosecurity Import Risk Review for the Importation of live garden snails (Cornu aspersum) for heliciculture. The report assesses the level of biosecurity risk associated with this species of garden snail. The report proposes that live garden snails may be permitted import into Australia, provided they comply with a range of species verification and biosecurity measures. These measures are supported by risk assessment, meet Australia's international rights and obligations, and are necessary to protect the health of Australian plants and animals.The report can be accessed at https: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/risk-analysis/animal/importation-of-live-garden-snails.

Registration of Controlled Atmosphere Treatment Providers under the AusTreat SchemeAustralia currently has emergency measures in place to address the risk of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) entering the country. This includes mandatory pre-border treatment of high-risk plant products (such as rice, beans, lentils etc.) packed in khapra beetle target-risk countriesAustralia is implementing a change to how Controlled Atmosphere (CA) treatments at atmospheric pressure are managed. From 30 October 2025, Australia will only accept CA treatments at atmospheric pressure conducted by treatment providers approved under AusTreat, Australia’s pre-border treatment provider scheme. Approved treatment providers will be publicly listed on the List of Treatment Providers on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website.This change will affect a small number of treatment providers currently approved to conduct CA treatments outside the AusTreat scheme, as well as new providers seeking to undertake CA treatment at atmospheric pressure for Australian imports.Australia’s import permit conditions will be updated on 30 October 2025. The additional declaration required on the phytosanitary certificate will be updated as follows:The goods were treated with controlled atmosphere in accordance with Australia’s Controlled Atmosphere Treatment Methodologyby an approved provider of that treatment in Australia’s List of Treatment Providers, as per the attached treatment certificate [insert treatment certificate number].Note:This change does not apply to khapra beetle treatments using Controlled Atmosphere at altered pressure, methyl bromide fumigation, or heat treatment. For these treatment types, use of a treatment provider registered under a pre-border treatment provider scheme is not currently mandatory. These treatment providers should continue to follow existing import requirements. However, we strongly encourage eligible treatment providers to register under AusTreat, as the AusTreat framework will be progressively expanded to include these treatments in the future.Treatment provider registrationTreatment providers can register for AusTreat now, ahead of this requirement taking effect on 30 October 2025.Treatment providers seeking to be approved by 30 October 2025, must submit their applications by 15 October 2025 to allow sufficient processing time by DAFF.Treatment providers are required to submit the ‘AusTreat registration application formand Controlled atmosphere (atmospheric pressure) treatment form’. These forms are available on the following webpage: AusTreat pre-border biosecurity treatment provider scheme - DAFFFurther informationFor further information, please contact Plant Import Operations team at DAFF via email at imports@aff.gov.au (Please title the subject line of the email with “Plant T2 – Khapra urgent actions”).

This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align the following maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various agricultural and veterinary chemicals so that they are consistent with other national regulations relating to the safe and effective use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals:Acetamiprid, Chlorantraniliprole, Cyflufenamid, Cyfluthrin, Difenoconazole, Isocycloseram, Pyriproxyfen and Trichlorfon in specified plant commodities;Chlorantraniliprole in specified animal commodities.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has finalised a risk analysis in response to the market access request for fresh melon (Cucumis melo) fruit, except oriental melon (C. melo var. makuwa) and oriental pickling melon (C. melo var. utilissimus) from Japan into Australia for human consumption. The final report recommends a combination of risk management measures and a system of operational procedures that will reduce the risk associated with the importation of fresh melon fruit, except oriental melon and oriental pickling melon, from Japan to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.The final report recommends that the importation of fresh melon fruit, except oriental melon and oriental pickling melon, from Japan into Australia be permitted, subject to the application of the phytosanitary measures, as outlined in the final report, for a fruit fly and thrips species of biosecurity concern to Australia.The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the department’s website on 17 October 2024 for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period (G/SPS/N/AUS/607).

As notified in G/SPS/N/AUS/469, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has implemented emergency measures for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and capsicum (Capsicum annuum species complex) seeds. These measures have been in place since 2019.  This addendum is to notify trading partners that we have reviewed Australia’s import conditions for tomato and capsicum seed disease testing. This review focused on evaluating seed testing protocols for Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV), as well as the authorisation process for laboratories conducting these tests. As a result of this review, we are updating Australia’s emergency measures for tomato and capsicum seeds. We will be introducing two key changes, which include: Establishing a list of authorised laboratories registered to test tomato and capsicum seed;Updating the approved testing protocols and the interpretation of their results to improve consistency and assurance in detecting ToBRFV and ToMMV.  The new import conditions will commence on 12 November 2025. A list of authorised laboratories will be published on 1 October 2025 to enable importers to begin transitioning to the new arrangements.During the transition period (1 October 2025 – 11 November 2025), we will continue to accept seed lots that have already been tested for ToBRFV and ToMMV under Australia’s existing import conditions. Consignments that arrive on or after 12 November 2025 that do not meet the new requirements will be offered onshore testing at an approved laboratory in Australia (at the importer’s expense), exported or disposed.  For further detail on these changes, see:Pathogen testing requirements for tomato and capsicum seeds webpageEmergency measures for tomato and capsicum seedWhen  published,  the  revised  import  conditions  will  be  made  available  in  the  Biosecurity  Import Conditions system (BICON): https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/BiconWeb4.0/Information sessionsWe are holding two online information sessions to provide further information on the upcoming changes. One session will be scheduled later in the day to accommodate international stakeholders.  When:Session 1: 10.30am Australian Eastern Standard Time, 16 September 2025Session 2: 4.30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time, 16 September 2025Where:  Online via Microsoft Teams Live EventRegistration: This is a free event. Please register via our Humanitix webpage by selecting the 'Get Tickets' button

Australia is replacing the current Export Documentation System (EXDOC) with a system called the Next Export Documentation System (NEXDOC). NEXDOC is designed to make Australia’s export documentation system more secure over time and responsive to changes in trade conditions.Australia’s export documentation for some inedible animal by-products including petfood, rendered animal by-products, blood products, pharmaceutical and technical products, animal/stock feed and inedible tallow will soon transition to the NEXDOC platform of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department).This transition builds on previous successful implementations for dairy (May 2021), honey and edible apiculture products (2022), eggs (December 2023), fish and fish products (September 2024), animal wool, skins and hides (November 2024), and Australia’s generic export certificates (May 2025). The department proposes the new export certificates be issued for:Australian exports of inedible animal by-products such as petfood, rendered animal by-products, blood products, pharmaceutical and technical products, animal/stock feed and inedible tallow.This change will commence on 27 October 2025. There will be a transition period where both the old and new certificate templates will be in use to allow for transit time (air and sea freight) to the port of destination.It is important to note that not all inedible animal by-products certificates will transition to NEXDOC on this date. Some certificates may continue to be issued in their current agreed format until they can be transitioned to a NEXDOC certificate. The phased implementation reflects the department’s commitment to maintaining trade while modernising export systems. The planned changes do not affect the agreed conditions or attestations for market access, bilaterally agreed information about the consignment details, or the department’s regulatory controls over exports. However, there are minor changes to grammar, spelling, and the location of some of the information on the certificate. In addition, the new certificates will have unique Quick Response (QR) codes. The QR codes provide consignment specific information that border officials can use to confirm authenticity of the certificate in real-time. To verify the QR code, border officials scan the code through the official’s smart phone camera. Australia reiterates that the transition to the NEXDOC platform on 27 October 2025 will exclude certain export certifications for inedible animal by-products. In this instance, those templates will retain their current format.Australia is allowing a sixty days comment period.

Australia released the Import risk review for dairy products for human consumption – final report (the dairy review) on 4 March 2025. WTO Members were notified on 14 March 2025 (G/SPS/N/AUS/561/Add.2The new import conditions will be implemented from 31 August 2025, with the initial transition period to take place over 12 months. Import permits granted between 31 August 2025 and 1 September 2026 will contain both the old (existing) and new conditions. Trade can continue under the current or new conditions during this time while new health certificates are negotiated. Model health certificates as attached to this notification can be used to facilitate trade in dairy products for which a valid import permit has been granted after 31 August 2025. Australia aims to negotiate specific health certificates with approved countries by completion of the transition period on 1 September 2026. From this date, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will begin issuing import permits with the new import conditions and associated health certificates only. Further details about the implementation process are provided on the department’s website at: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/goods/biological/dairy-review-implementation

Khapra beetle measures: Update to pest risk analysis for khapra beetle As previously communicated via SPS notice G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.18, we are currently undertaking a pest risk analysis (PRA) for khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium). This update is to inform stakeholders that the PRA will now be conducted in two parts: Part 1 will focus on the plant product pathway, and Part 2 on the sea container pathway.Importantly, this change does not alter the overall purpose or scope of the PRA. The objective remains to assess the biosecurity risks posed by khapra beetle, to evaluate the current emergency measures (also termed ‘urgent actions’) and to recommend effective and appropriate ongoing phytosanitary measures. These emergency measures will stay in place until the PRA is finalised, and any recommended ongoing phytosanitary measures are implemented.We are adopting this 2-part approach because:The biosecurity risks and emergency measures differ between the two pathways;Risk assessments, evaluation of existing emergency measures, and proposed ongoing risk management need to be conducted separately for each pathway;Australia and the International Plant Protection Convention have several initiatives underway targeting sea container biosecurity risks, which will influence the analysis for that pathway.This approach is expected to be more logical, efficient, and easier for stakeholders to review and provide feedback on.We anticipate publishing a draft report for Part 1 in late 2025, followed by Part 2 in the first half of 2026. Each draft report will be released for a 60-day public consultation period.Please note that the anticipated publication dates for the draft reports are indicative and may be subject to change.