Notifications for Australia (406 notifications)

On 4 August 2020, Australia issued a SPS notification (G/SPS/N/AUS/502) informing trading partners of its intention to implement emergency measures to safeguard Australia against the entry, establishment and spread of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granariumAs notified in addendum G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.5, new measures for sea containers will be implemented in two stages:  - Mandatory offshore treatment of target risk sea containers (commencing from 12 April 2021);  - New measures for high-risk sea containers (expected to commence in late 2021). >Further information on the upcoming measures was provided in addendum G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.7.Information sessionsTo assist treatment providers in meeting the new khapra beetle requirements for the offshore treatment of target risk sea containers, Australia is running virtual information sessions to provide more detail on the different forms of treatments and how these changes will affect treatment providers. Please note that each session will cover a different form of treatment.The information sessions will be held: Methyl bromide fumigation: 15:00 – 17:00 (AEDT), Friday 26 March 2021; Heat treatment: 15:00 – 17:00 (AEDT), Monday 29 March 2021; Insecticide treatment: 15:00 – 17:00 (AEDT), Wednesday 31 March 2021. >The information sessions will cover:  - Khapra beetle treatment measures for sea containers;  - How our existing offshore treatment assurance schemes (the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme and the Offshore Brown Marmorated Stinkbug Treatment Providers Scheme) will be used;  - How the requirements of our treatment methodologies apply to the treatment of sea containers. >Australia would appreciate it if trading partners could encourage their treatment providers to attend the information sessions. Register to attend via: https://khapra-containers-treatment-information-sessions.eventbrite.com.auIf you wish to attend one or more of the sessions but do not find the times suitable, please email offshoretreatments@agriculture.gov.au to register your interest in future sessions. Please indicate which treatment you are interested in and your time zone, and we will use this information when planning any future events.For more information on the urgent actions visit:http://awe.gov.au/khapra-containers http://awe.gov.au/khapra-urgent-actionsEnquiries can be directed to 1800 900 090 or via email at imports@agriculture.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email with "Plant Tier 2 – Khapra urgent actions").

On 4 August 2020, Australia issued a SPS notification (G/SPS/N/AUS/502) informing trading partners of its intention to implement emergency measures to safeguard Australia against the entry, establishment and spread of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granariumAs notified in addendum G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.6, implementation of Phase 6A of the emergency measures will commence from 12 April 2021. Phase 6A will introduce mandatory offshore treatment requirements for target risk sea containers.To assist in preparing stakeholders for the implementation of Phase 6A, a specific web page outlining the sea container measures has been published. This web page can be accessed at: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/sea-container-measuresThe webpage includes updated/new information on the following components of the Phase 6A emergency measures:- implementation dates;- treatment options, rates and requirements;- approved treatment providers;- treatment certification requirements;- February 2021 information sessions (see G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.6).Please also note that while these measures will be commencing from 12 April 2021, start dates will now be staggered depending on the type of target risk container.Note: Failure to comply with these requirements will result in export of the container upon arrival in Australia.Further informationFurther information on the emergency measures for containers can be found on the department's Sea container measures to protect against khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) webpage.Addendums to this SPS notification will be published to notify the measures and implementation dates for subsequent phases. Complete import conditions and details regarding the measures will be outlined in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) prior to the implementation date.For:- questions and information related directly to offshore khapra beetle treatments, please email offshoretreatments@agriculture.gov.au;- all other enquiries regarding these measures, please email imports@agriculture.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email with "Plant Tier 2 – khapra urgent actions").

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) has finalised a pest risk analysis for Pepino mosaic virus and pospiviroids associated with tomato seed. The final pest risk analysis identified five quarantine pests associated with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seed: Pepino mosaic virusColumnea latent viroidPepper chat fruit viroidTomato apical stunt viroid and Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid The unrestricted risks of these quarantine pests do not achieve the appropriate level of protection (ALOP) for Australia. Consequently, pest risk management measures are required to manage the risks posed by the pests to achieve the ALOP for Australia. In addition to the department's standard import conditions for seeds for sowing, a combination of pest risk management measures is recommended for tomato seed that includes a test or a treatment for each identified pest: ·         Option 1. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test—a measure that is applicable to all five quarantine pests associated with tomato seed;·         Option 2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test—a measure that is applicable only to Pepino mosaic virus;·         Option 3. Heat treatment—a measure that is applicable only to Pepino mosaic virus If the required treatment or testing is undertaken off-shore, phytosanitary certification is required with the additional declaration that the testing or treatment has been conducted in accordance with Australia's requirements. The draft pest risk analysis was published on the department's website on 8 August 2018 for a 60 calendar day stakeholder consultation period (G/SPS/N/AUS/455). Comments raised by stakeholders were taken into consideration in the preparation of the final report.The key changes made in the final pest risk analysis are: ·         removal of Tomato planta macho viroid from the analysis because insufficient evidence was found of this viroid on the tomato seed for sowing pathway;·         retention of an ELISA test as an option to manage the risk of introducing Pepino mosaic virus. The completed final report is available in English on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website at: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/plant/pepino-mosaic-virus-pospiviroids-tomato-seedThe specific implementation date and revised import conditions will be made available on Australia's Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system:https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/BiconWeb4.0

There is an error in the abovementioned title for notification G/SPS/N/AUS/515. Kindly note that Item 5 should read as follows: 5.         Title of the notified document: Updates to Sanitary and Phytosanitary Certificates for Agricultural Exports from Australia. Language(s): English. Number of pages:

Australia is implementing new export legislation, the Export Control Act.  Consequently, from 28 March 2021, the reference to the year of the Export Control Act, which currently refers to 1982, shall be removed from all sanitary and phytosanitary certificates issued by Australia's competent authority, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Further, the reference to department names underneath the Australian Government crest will be updated to read "Australian Government" except i) where an importing country expressly requires the name of the competent authority to appear on the certificate; and ii) for plant certificates. Australia is removing the signature of the Chief Veterinary Officer from all electronically issued meat, dairy, egg, non-prescribed goods and seafood health certificates. This will be replaced with the National Veterinary Technical Manager's (Dr Stewart Lowden) signature who will have oversight of the export systems in accordance with OIE and Codex guidance on certification arrangements. Australian health certificates that have a manual signature applied will continue to bear the signature of departmental officers authorised to sign export health certification and apply the department seal. Signatories for live animal, reproductive material, grain, seed and horticulture phytosanitary certificates will not change. Plant export certificates will update references to "Authorised Officer" with the term "delegate".The planned changes do not affect the agreed attestations for market access, the department's regulatory controls over exports, or the bilaterally agreed information regarding the consignment details described on the certificate.Australia's updated certificates will be released during March 2021. Updated plant certificates will be released on 15 March 2021. There will be a short transition period where old and new certificates may be presented to border officials for clearance of goods.

On 4 August 2020, Australia issued a SPS notification (G/SPS/N/AUS/502) informing trading partners of its intention to implement emergency measures to plant products that are hosts of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) to safeguard Australia against the entry, establishment and spread of this pest. As notified in addendum G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.5, new measures for sea containers will be implemented in two stages: Phase 6A (target risk containers) and Phase 6B (high-risk containers). Further information on Phase 6A is now available, as detailed below. Phase 6A: New measures for target risk sea containersPhase 6A will introduce offshore treatment requirements for target risk sea containers from 12 April 2021. To comply with the new measures, all target risk containers exported on or after 12 April 2021 must be treated and accompanied by a valid treatment certificate. If a phytosanitary certificate is to be provided for sea containers, this must also be accompanied by a valid treatment certificate.Information sessionsAustralia is holding virtual information sessions for industry to provide more information on the Phase 6A changes. There are three separate information sessions to accommodate people's schedules. Please note, the content will be the same at each information session.  The information sessions will be held: ·         9:30 – 11:30 (AEDT), Tuesday, 23 February 2021·         10:30 – 12:30 (AEDT), Thursday, 25 February 2021·         14:00 – 16:00 (AEDT), Friday, 26 February 2021 Australia would appreciate it if trading partners could encourage their treatment providers to attend the information sessions. Register to attend: http://www.khapra-beetle-containers-information-sessions.eventbrite.com.auInvitations to the information sessions have been extended to target risk country embassies in Australia. However, Australia is also happy to meet with National Plant Protection Organizations or their representatives in Australia if they would like additional information on the emergency measures for sea containers.Further informationAdditional information on the emergency measures can be found on the department's website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/urgent-actionsAddenda to this SPS notification will be published to notify the measures and implementation dates for subsequent phases. Complete import conditions and details regarding the measures will be outlined in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) prior to the implementation date.

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: - Azoxystrobin, Bromoxynil, Difluenican, Fluopyram, Fomesafen, Metalaxyl, Methomyl, Spinetoram and Trifloxystrobin in specified plant commodities; - Fluopyram and Fomesafen in specified animal commodities.

This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various agricultural and veterinary (Agvet) chemicals with the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority MRL Standard, Codex Alimentarius Commission and trading partner standards relating to residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in food. For M1018, FSANZ commenced routine consideration of MRLs adopted by Codex at the preceding year's Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting (CAC) without the need for interested parties to also submit requests. New MRLs adopted at the 2019 CAC meeting were subjected to a screening process prior to being considered for inclusion in the harmonisation proposal. The agvet chemicals where increased or new MRLs are being considered for specified plant commodities are: 2, 4-D; abamectin; acephate; acetamiprid; acifluorfen; afidopyropen; alpha-cypermethrin (residues captured under the chemical cypermethrin); aluminum phosphide (residues are captured under the chemical phosphine); ametoctradin; azoxystrobin; bentazone; benzovindiflupyr; bifenthrin; boscalid; carbendazim; carboxin; carfentrazone-ethyl; chlorantraniliprole; chlorfenapyr; chlorpyrifos; chlorpyrifos-methyl; cyantraniliprole; cyazofamid; cyclaniliprole; cyhalothrin (includes lambda); cypermethrin; deltamethrin; difenoconazole; dithianon; diuron; ethiprole; fenbuconazole; fenoxaprop-ethyl; fenpicoxamid; fenpyroximate; fluazifop-p-butyl; flubendiamide; fludioxonil; fluopyram; fluoride; fluoxastrobin; flupyradifurone; flusilazole; flutolanil; flutriafol; fluxapyroxad; folpet; glyphosate; halosulfuron-methyl; hexythiazox; imazalil; imidacloprid; iprodione; isofetamid; kresoxim-methyl; lufenuron; malathion (MRLs listed under maldison); mandipropamid; MCPA; MCPB; mefentrifluconazole; metalaxyl; metconazole; methomyl; metolachlor; milbemectin; myclobutanil; novaluron; oxamyl; oxathiapiprolin; paraquat; pendimethalin; phorate; phosphine; picoxystrobin; pirimiphos-methyl; profenofos; prohexadione-calcium; propamocarb; propiconazole; pyraclostrobin; pyraflufen-ethyl; pyrethrins; pyriofenone; pyriproxyfen; pyroxasulfone; sethoxydim; simazine; spinosad; sulfoxaflor; tebuconazole; tebufenozide; thiacloprid; thiamethoxam; thiophanate-methyl; tioxazafen; triflumezopyrim; zeta-cypermethrin and zoxamide.    The agvet chemicals where increased or new MRLs are being considered for specified animal commodities are:Bentazone; chlorfenapyr; ethiprole; fenpyroximate; fludioxonil; flumequine; glyphosate; imazalil; kresoxim-methyl; lufenuron; norflurazon; oxathiapiprolin; propamocarb; pyraclostrobin; ractopamine; sethoxydim; sulfoxaflor and tioxazafen. The agvet chemicals where deletions or reductions in MRLs are being proposed are:Acetamiprid; acibenzolar-s-methyl; azoxystrobin; bifenthrin; imidacloprid and permethrin;   Note: There were no deletions or reductions in MRLs for animal food commodities. New chemicals proposed for inclusion in schedule 20 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code are: Ethiprole; fenpicoxamid; flumequine; flusilazole; picoxystrobin; tioxazafen and triflumezopyrim.

On 30 March 2021, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) will introduce an import permit requirement for the following apiaceous seed species imported for human consumption and sowing purposes:Anthriscus cerefolium (chervil)Apium graveolens (celery)Foeniculum vulgare (fennel)Pastinaca sativa (parsnip)Petroselinum crispum (parsley)An import permit is being introduced for the above species as they require specific phytosanitary import requirements to manage the seed-borne disease risk on the pathway. The new requirement will apply to all synonyms and sub-ordinate taxa of the above species.The department will not facilitate the clearance of goods that require an import permit but arrive without one. Consignments that arrive on or after 30 March 2021 without an import permit, including scenarios where an application is currently under consideration, will be directed for export or destroyed in an approved manner. Consignments that arrive in Australian territory prior to 30 March 2021 will be permitted entry without an import permit.

On 4 August 2020, Australia issued a SPS notification (G/SPS/N/AUS/502) informing trading partners of its intention to implement emergency measures to safeguard Australia against the entry, establishment and spread of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granariumAs notified in addendum G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.3, Australia now plans to implement new measures for containers (Phase 6) ahead of proposed changes for plant products and seeds for sowing (Phases 3-5). Further detail on the proposed measures for sea containers is now available.The measures for sea containers will be implemented in two phases (Phase 6A and Phase 6B). Phase 6A: New measures for target risk sea containersPhase 6A is expected to commence in March/April 2021 at the earliest. Under this phase, new measures will be introduced for the highest risk containers (target risk containers). What are target risk containers? A target risk container is defined as a:·         FCL/FCX container carrying high-risk plant products and loaded in a khapra beetle target risk country;·         FCL/FCX container shipped from a khapra beetle target risk country and destined to a rural grain growing area of Australia.Note: ISO tanks, reefers, flat racks, LCL /FAK and containers that will be shipped as empty containers are excluded from the measures. What are the measures for target risk containers? Target risk containers must be treated offshore using a department approved treatment option prior to loading goods. What are the approved treatment options for target risk containers? The treatment of target risk countries must be conducted offshore prior to loading goods using one of the following treatment options:·         Methyl bromide fumigation: Prior to loading the goods, the container must be fumigated with a dose of 80 g/m3 or above, at 21°C or above for a minimum of 48 hours, with an end point reading of 20 g/m3 or above. The fumigation must be conducted in a sheeted enclosure and in accordance with the department's Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology;·         Heat treatment: Prior to loading the goods, the container must be heat treated at 60°C or higher for a minimum of 120 minutes. The treatment must be conducted in accordance with the department's Heat Treatment Methodology. Additional container-specific heat treatment instructions will be published on our website prior to implementation of Phase 6A;·         Insecticide spray: Prior to loading the goods, the container must be sprayed with contact insecticide. Additional details on this treatment option will be published on our website prior to implementation of Phase 6A. Phase 6B: New measures for high-risk sea containers Phase 6B is expected to commence in late 2021 and will include measures for a broader range of containers (i.e. all high-risk containers). Further information about these measures, including details on consultation, will be made available on our website.Further informationAdditional information on the emergency measures can be found on the department's website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/urgent-actionsThe department will also be holding virtual information sessions to provide further information on the changes under Phase 6A prior to implementation. Trading partners are welcome to attend. Registrations to attend will open soon and will be available via the department's website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/urgent-actions Addenda to this SPS notification will be published to notify the measures and implementation dates for subsequent phases. Complete import conditions and details regarding the measures will be outlined in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) prior to the implementation date.

On 4 August 2020, Australia issued a SPS notification (G/SPS/N/AUS/502) informing trading partners of its intention to implement emergency measures to plant products that are hosts of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) to safeguard Australia against the entry, establishment and spread of this pest. The purpose of this addendum is to provide trading partners with advance notification that Australia will be updating its list of khapra beetle target risk countries. This amendment is supported by a recent assessment of the current international distribution of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium)From 16 December 2020, Australia's list of khapra beetle target risk countries will be updated to the following list:  Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Bangladesh; Benin; Burkina Faso; Côte d'Ivoire; Cyprus; Egypt; Ghana; Greece; India; Iran; Iraq; Israel; Kuwait, the State of; Lebanese Republic; Libya; Mali; Mauritania; Morocco; Myanmar; Nepal; Niger; Nigeria; Oman; Pakistan; Qatar; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of; Senegal; Somalia; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Syrian Arab Republic; Timor-Leste; Tunisia; Turkey; United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen.   Certification requirementsAustralia's phytosanitary certification requirements for certain plant products differ depending on the country of origin or export. FCL consignments of seeds, grains and dried plant products imported from a: - Khapra beetle target risk country must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with the following additional declaration: "The plant product(s) were inspected and found free from Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium)- Country not listed as a khapra beetle target risk country must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.As notified in previous addenda, Australia will also implement revised phytosanitary certification requirements for certain plant products as part of its emergency measures to address khapra beetle in mid-late 2021. These revisions will affect both khapra beetle target risk countries and countries not listed as a khapra beetle target risk country. Further informationAdditional information on the Australia's khapra beetle emergency measures can be found on the department's website: https://agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/urgent-actionsComplete import conditions and details regarding these measures will be outlined in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) prior to the implementation date.

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, Afidopyropen, Azoxystrobin, Cyproconazole, Flumioxazin, Pyriproxyfen, Tetraniliprole in specified plant commodities;Tetraniliprole in specified animal commodities.

The Australian Government is making improvements to its agricultural export legislation. A new legislative framework for Australia's agricultural exports will commence on 28 March 2021, comprising the Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control Rules 2020 (the Rules). The Rules will set out the operational details for regulating the exports of commodities. Once finalised, the Rules will replace the current legislation. The Australian Government has already released tranches 1 and 2 of the Exposure Draft Export Control Rules 2020 (the draft Rules) for comment, which addressed 10 commodities. We are now releasing tranche 3 of the draft Rules, which includes: - Exposure Draft Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2020;- Exposure Draft Export Control (Miscellaneous) Rules 2020. The tranche 3 draft Rules and supporting information are available on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment's website - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/market-access-trade/improving-export-legislation. Submissions on the tranche 3 draft Rules close on 24 January 2021. Tranche 1 of the draft Rules closed for comments on 5 November 2020 and tranche 2 of the draft Rules will close for comments on 8 January 2021. The focus for consultation with stakeholders, including trading partners, is to ensure the improved legislative framework is clear and fit-for-purpose – supporting growth and innovation, while maintaining the standards our trading partners expect. There is no change to Australia's commitment to meet the importing requirements of our trading partners, and the improved legislation will continue to meet Australia's international obligations – including those under the SPS Agreement.

On 4 August 2020, Australia issued an SPS notification (G/SPS/N/AUS/502) informing trading partners of its intention to implement emergency measures to plant products that are hosts of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) to safeguard Australia against the entry, establishment and spread of this pest.In response to the recent and increasing hitchhiker risk of khapra beetle in shipping containers, we have determined that changes to the management of containers is now an immediate priority for addressing khapra beetle risk. Accordingly, we plan to implement new measures for containers (Phase 6) ahead of proposed changes for plant products and seeds for sowing (Phases 3-5).  A revised schedule of the implementation of the phases is below.Phase 1: Ban on high-risk plant products within unaccompanied personal effects and low value freight  - Commenced 3 September 2020 (See G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.1) Phase 2: Ban on high-risk plant products within accompanied baggage or via international travellers or mail articles  -  Commenced 15 October. (See G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.2) Phase 3: Revised phytosanitary certification and new offshore treatment requirements for high-risk plant products arriving via commercial pathways  -  Expected to commence in mid-late 2021  Phase 4: Revised phytosanitary certification and new offshore treatment requirements for other risk plant products arriving via all import pathways  -  Expected to commence in mid-late 2021  Phase 5: Introduction of phytosanitary certification for all seeds for sowing   -  Expected to commence in mid-late 2021  Phase 6: Revised measures for shipping containers  -  Expected to commence in early 2021 Phase 6: Revised measures for shipping containersWe are currently working through what the revised measures for shipping containers will involve. A range of measures are being considered, including possible treatment options. We will provide further information to trading partners on the proposed measures for containers over the coming months. As contamination of shipping containers is a global problem, we would welcome the opportunity to partner with other countries to identify a global solution. Further informationAdditional information on the emergency measures can be found on the department's website: agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/urgent-actions.  Addendums to this SPS notification will be published to notify the measures and implementation dates for subsequent phases. Complete import conditions and details regarding the measures will be outlined in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) prior to the implementation date.

The date in the second last sentence of the original notification which reads 'stakeholders are invited to provide comments on the outcomes of the review, and the procedure by 29 January 2020' is incorrect.  The correct date is 29 January 2021.

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, Carbaryl, 2,4-D, Pyraclostrobin and Uniconazole-p in specified plant commodities - 2,4-D in specified animal commodities

As set out in the Biosecurity Advice (https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos) stakeholders are asked to comment on the draft update of the non-salmonid marine finfish risk species lists for human consumption and baitfish (risk species lists). These lists of finfish susceptible to pathogens of concern arose from the "Import Risk Analysis on Non-viable Salmonids and Non-salmonid Marine finfish" (1999 non-viable marine finfish IRA) and can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment's Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON). The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) has also developed a procedure (the procedure) outlining how decisions were made to recognise a species of finfish as susceptible to infection with a pathogen of concern. The department has released both the procedure, and the outcomes of the review for a 90 day consultation period. This review was initiated to ensure that the risk lists are up to date to ensure they are effective at managing biosecurity risk and promote safe trade. Specifically, the review aimed to ensure that the risk species lists accounted for new information about species susceptibility since the risk lists were published in 1999. The department proposes that finfish species identified in the review as susceptible to infection with a disease of concern to Australia, continue to be permitted import into Australia, subject to compliance with the risk management approaches set out in the 1999 non-viable marine finfish IRA and specified in BICON. Stakeholders are invited to provide comments on the outcomes of the review, and the procedure by 29 January 2020. The department will carefully consider all submissions before preparing the final report.

FSANZ has received an application seeking a variation to Standard 1.5.3 Irradiation of Food of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code), to permit the irradiation of all fresh fruit and vegetables as a phytosanitary measure to ensure freedom from regulated pests. Currently, the Code permits the irradiation of 26 fruits and vegetables for this purpose. If approved, the permission will replace these existing permissions with a generic permission for all fresh fruits and vegetables. The minimum and maximum absorbed doses of 150 Gy and 1 kGy will remain the same as the existing permission. If permitted, this form of treatment can be used as a phytosanitary measure for fresh produce exported to another Australian state, territory or region, or to New Zealand. It can also be used for  imports into both countries requiring a phytosanitary treatment and thus help provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests, with proven effectiveness against fruit flies and most insects.

The draft report proposes that the importation of commercially produced fresh apple fruit to Australia from all production areas of the Pacific Northwest states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, USA (PNW-USA) be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements. The draft report contains details of pests that are of biosecurity concern to Australia and are potentially associated with the importation of fresh apple fruit from the PNW-USA, the risk assessments for the identified quarantine pests, and the proposed risk management measures to reduce biosecurity risks to an acceptable level.

The Australian Government is making improvements to its agricultural export legislation. A new legislative framework for Australia's agricultural exports will commence on 28 March 2021, comprising the Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control Rules 2020 (the Rules). The Rules will set out the operational details for regulating the exports of commodities. Once finalised, the Rules will replace the current legislation. The Australian Government has already released tranche one of the Exposure Drafts of the Export Control Rules 2020 (the draft Rules), which included 7 commodities for consultation. We are now releasing tranche two of the draft Rules, which includes 3 draft Rules. The final draft Rules – for wood and non-prescribed goods will be released for consultation at a later date. Tranche two includes the draft Rules: - Exposure Draft Export Control (Animals) Rules 2020 - Exposure Draft Export Control (Rabbit and Ratite Meat and Rabbit and Ratite Meat Products) Rules 2020 - Exposure Draft Export Control (Wild Game Meat and Wild Game Meat Products) Rules 2020 > The draft Rules and supporting information can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Water  and the Environment's website - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/market-access-trade/improving-export-legislation. Submissions on the tranche two of the draft Rules close on 8 January 2021. The focus for consultation with stakeholders, including trading partners, is to ensure the improved legislative framework is clear and fit-for-purpose – supporting growth and innovation, while maintaining the standards our trading partners expect. There is no change to Australia's commitment to meet the importing requirements of our trading partners, and the improved legislation will continue to meet Australia's international obligations – including those under the SPS agreement.