Notifications for Australia (406 notifications)
Describes alternative arrangements to the use of original paper phytosanitary certificates due the impacts of COVID-19 on airfreight and courier mail.
The attached document identifies a number of changes the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment intends to make to the existing fertile eggs import conditions outlined in the health certificates. These changes are: - Clarifications to the existing conditions - Change in terminology to "hatching eggs" - Amending the title of each certificate from "veterinary certificate" to "health certificate" The department seeks the cooperation of competent authorities to amend their health certificates accordingly.
This corrigendum attaches the model health certificate referred to in G/SPS/N/AUS/495.
The Australian Parliament has passed the Export Control Bills Package 2019 (the Bills Package) without amendment on 27 February 2020. The Bills Package consists of the Export Control Bill 2019 (the Bill), Export Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Bill 2019 and three Imposition Amendment Bills 2019 (Excise, General and Customs). Each Bill is accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum and the Explanatory Memorandum for the Bill includes a Regulation Impact Statement (SPS Notification G/SPS/N/AUS/433/Add.2 Refers). The Bills will become Acts when they shortly receive Royal Assent.The Bill consolidates export-related provisions currently within the Export Control Act 1982 and Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997 into a single Export Control Bill. Commodity-specific requirements will be reflected in the new Export Control Rules (the rules), which will replace the current Export Control Orders without changing their intent. Initial consultation on draft Meat, Milk, Eggs and Fish rules has already taken place, with drafting continuing on the remaining commodity specific rules. Trading partners will be provided with an opportunity to comment on all the rules in 2020.The improved legislative framework will commence shortly before 1 April 2021.Trading Partners should be assured that existing levels of government oversight and regulatory powers will be maintained within the new legislation. Australia's ability to meet importing country requirements and international trade obligations will not be impacted as a result of these improvements.Improved export legislation provides the framework for complying with exporting requirements, creating a system that is more flexible and efficient to administer. This will ensure the continued integrity of Australia's export system and promote consistent and efficient administration across Australia's export chains.Business practices and regulatory requirements will remain consistent between the current and future legislation. The continuation of current business practices means costs for regulatory services will remain the same.Further information on the Bill is available from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website at agriculture.gov.au/improving-export-legislation
As set out in Biosecurity Advice 2020-A02 published on the department's website on 28 February 2020 at:agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has determined that interim import conditions for uncooked prawns imported into Australia are required to manage the risks associated with infection by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). Australia's current import conditions for uncooked prawns (including freezing and head and shell removal) does not achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection (ALOP) for EHP. Interim import conditions are proposed to allow safe trade in uncooked prawns to continue and achieve Australia's ALOP.Pending consideration of comments received during the 60 day comment period, Australia is proposing that all uncooked prawns arriving in Australia from 1 July 2020 must be certified by competent authorities of exporting countries to have been deveined during processing (removal of the digestive tract that sits along the dorsal ridge of the prawn to at least the last shell segment and tail fan). Once the proposed interim import conditions are implemented, only prawn consignments that are verified to have undergone acceptable deveining, and that meet all other requirements for uncooked prawns, will be released from biosecurity control.The proposed import conditions for uncooked prawns would remain ‘interim' while Australia finalises the Review of the biosecurity risks of prawns imported into Australia for human consumption as announced by Australia's Director of Biosecurity on 16 May 2017 (Biosecurity Advice 2017/07; G/SPS/N/AUS/422). The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment anticipates the draft report will be available for comment in mid-2020.Australia's updated model health certificate for prawns and prawn meat for human consumption is attached, which includes the proposed additional wording (see Point 7.1 (2)) for competent authorities to certify that product has been deveined. Following the conclusion of the consultation period, trading partners are encouraged to implement required certification changes in a timely manner to prevent disruptions to trade from 1 July 2020. A further Biosecurity Advice and SPS notification will be issued following the consultation period. Comments on the proposed interim import conditions for uncooked prawns can be provided until 28 April 2020 and should be directed to: >Animal Biosecurity Branch Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment GPO Box 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Email: Prawnreview@awe.gov.au
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment has completed the risk analysis for the importation of fresh strawberries from Japan into Australia. 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 strawberries from Japan to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection.The final report recommends that the importation of fresh strawberries from Japan into Australia be permitted, subject to the application of the phytosanitary measures, as outlined in the final report, for Drosophila species (three species), spider mites (five species), thrips (three species) and angular leaf spot.The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment website on 6 June 2019 for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period and was notified to WTO Members (G/SPS/N/AUS/478). The final report is available in English on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment website at:https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/plant/strawberries-from-japan.
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture has completed the risk analysis for the importation of fresh Chinese jujube fruit from the Peoples Republic of China (China) into Australia. The final risk analysis report recommends a range of risk management measures, combined with an operational system, to ensure are met. The recommended risk management measures will reduce the risk associated with the importation of fresh Chinese jujube fruit from China to a level that achieves Australia's appropriate level of protection. The final risk analysis report recommends that the importation of fresh Chinese jujube fruit from China into Australia be permitted, subject to the application of the phytosanitary measures, as outlined in the final report, for: · Fruit flies: Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis), guava fruit fly (Bactrocera correcta), melon fly (Zeugodacus cucurbitae), jujube fruit fly (Carpomyia vesuviana· Borers: peach fruit borer (Carposina sasakii· Mites: hawthorn spider mite (Amphitetranychus viennensis· Mealybugs: Heliococcus mealybug (Heliococcus destructor) and· Thrips: chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis).The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture website on 18 March 2019 for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period and was notified to WTO members (G/SPS/N/AUS/471).The final report is available in English on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, website at: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/plant/jujubes-from-china
The Department of Agriculture has aligned requirements that cover the date of validity of acceptable rabies neutralising antibody titres (RNAT) for dogs and cats for export to Australia. For permit applications received on and after 20 January 2020, acceptable RNATs will be dated from arrival of the sample at the testing laboratory. The minimum 180 days pre-export period spent outside Australia where an RNAT is required will now commence on that same 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:Bifenthrin, Bixlozone, Carbetamide, Diafenthiuron, Difenoconazole, Etoxazole, Fluopyram, Glufosinate and Glufosinate-ammonium, Halosulfuron-methyl, Napropamide, Oxamyl, Prosulfocarb, Tebuconazole, Trifloxystrobin and Trinexapac-ethyl in specified plant commodities. Bixlozone, Carbetamide, Flubendazole, Fluralaner, Imazamox, Lasalocid in specified animal commodities.
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture has completed the risk analysis for the importation of fresh avocados from Chile into Australia. 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 avocados from Chile to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection. The final report recommends that the importation of fresh avocados from Chile into Australia be permitted, subject to the application of the phytosanitary measures, as outlined in the final report, for fruit flies (one species), thrips (three species), mealybugs (one species) and Oligonychus spider mites (two species). The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture website on 28 February 2019 for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period and was notified to WTO members (G/SPS/N/AUS/470). The final report is available in English on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture website at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/plant/avocado-from-chile
To protect human safety and health, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved – as an interim emergency measure – an amendment to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to prohibit the retail sale of foods in which total caffeine is present in a concentration of 5% or more (if the food is a solid or semi-solid food) or 1% or more (if the food is a liquid food). This decision followed a recent death in Australia caused by ingestion of pure or highly concentrated caffeine powder. The decision is based on a risk assessment that confirmed that pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products sold at retail directly to consumers pose an immediate and acute health and safety risk. The ingestion of small amounts of pure and highly concentrated caffeinated substances can result in death or severe health effects. This interim measure comes into force in December 2019.FSANZ will review this interim emergency measure and decide within 12 months whether to affirm, amend or repeal the measure, taking into account comments by WTO members received as a result of this notification. Australia is notifying this interim measure under both TBT and SPS Agreements as caffeine cannot be considered to be an additive for the purposes of the SPS Agreement in relation to all food stuffs – such as pure caffeine products in which it is the primary ingredient. The latter would be covered the TBT Agreement (and not the SPS Agreement).
Final pest risk analysis and recommended measures to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection for brown marmorated stink bug on at-risk goods from all countries with populations of brown marmorated stink bug. The final report includes:- Summary- Introduction, including Australia's biosecurity policy framework and this pest risk analysis- Method for pest risk analysis- Pest information- Pest risk assessment- Pest risk management- Pest categorisation- Host plants- Summary of recommendations for measures for cargo for the 2018-19 BMSB season- Issues raised by stakeholders- Timeline of measures applied to manage BMSB risk
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. The agvet chemicals where increased or new MRLs are being considered for specified plant commodities are: Abamectin, acephate, acequinocyl, benzovindiflupyr, boscalid, carbendazim, chlorothalonil, clofentezine, clothianidin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, difenoconazole, dithiocarbamates, endosulfan, fenazaquin, flazasulfuron, flonicamid, fluazifop-p-butyl, fluopicolide, fluopyram, folpet, halosulfuron-methyl, hexythiazox, iprodione, metalaxyl, oxathiapiprolin, pendimethalin, phosmet, phosphorous acid, propiconazole, sethoxydim, tetraconazole, triadimenol and trifloxystrobin. The agvet chemicals where increased or new MRLs are being considered for specified animal commodities are: Halosulfuron- methyl.The agvet chemicals where deletions or reductions in MRLs are being proposed are: Abamectin, boscalid, buprofezin, cypermethrin, cyproconazole, dithiocarbamates, emamectin, etridiazole, fenhexamid, fenoxycarb, fentin, fluazifop-p-butyl, imidacloprid, indoxacarb, methoxyfenozide, myclobutanil, phosphorous acid, propiconazole, quinoxyfen, tebuconazole and tebuthiuron. Note: There were no deletions or reductions in MRLs for animal food commodities.
The final review of import conditions for Brassicaceous vegetable seeds for sowing was published on the Department of Agriculture website on 12 September 2019 (G/SPS/N/AUS/445/Add.1). The Australian Government Department of Agriculture (the department) is advising of the commencement of revised import conditions for Brassica rapa Eruca vesicaria and Raphanus sativus seed for sowing. 1. From 5 December 2019, the following import conditions will be in place: a) For Brassica rapa, seed must be treated with one of the following options: - Treatment with a broad spectrum fungicide, such as Thiram®; - Dry heat at 70 °C for 90 minutes; - Hot water at 53 °C for 10 minutes; - Hot water at 50 °C for 20 minutes; b) For Eruca vesicaria and Raphanus sativus, seed must be treated with a broad spectrum fungicide, such as Thiram®. 2. General requirements Treatments can occur either offshore prior to export to Australian territory, or on-arrival in Australian territory. Phytosanitary certification is required to attest to any offshore treatments applied to seed lots prior to export. Where phytosanitary certification is not presented or accepted, consignments are subject to onshore treatment at a department's approved arrangement facility that is able to perform the required treatment, or export or disposal. Seeds imported for sprouting or microgreen production do not require the additional management measures mentioned above. However, they must be germinated in an approved arrangement facility in Australia to ensure that the seeds are not directed for other uses. 3. Next steps Australia is seeking to implement an additional option for Eruca vesicaria and Raphanus sativus. This option will permit seed to be subject to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for the presence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani, once a validated protocol is available. The availability of PCR testing as an additional option for Eruca vesicaria and Raphanus sativus will be advised through another SPS addendum.
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:2,4-D, Bifenthrin, Glufosinate and Glufosinate ammonium, Glyphosate, Mesotrione, Methiocarb and Sethoxydim in specified plant commodities; Mesotrione in specified animal commodities.
Emergency phytosanitary measures for the importation of tomato and capsicum seeds are being introduced to mitigate the biosecurity risk posed by Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV).
Draft pest risk analysis and the proposed measures to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia for the import of fresh pomegranate whole fruit and processed ‘ready-to-eat' arils from India. The draft report includes: - Summary; - Introduction, including Australia's biosecurity policy framework and this pest risk analysis; - Method for pest risk analysis; - India's commercial production practices for pomegranate; - Pest risk assessments; - Pest risk management; - Conclusion; - Pest categorisation for fresh whole fruit and processed ready-to-eat arils.
This Variation amends the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align the following maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various agricultural chemicals so that they are consistent with other national regulations relating to the safe and effective use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals: Chlorantraniliprole, Clothianidin and Thiamethoxam in specified plant commodities.
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:- Abamectin, Afidopyropen, Aminopyralid, Azoxystrobin, Benzovindiflupyr, Cyflufenamid, Cypermethrin, Difenoconazole, Fludioxonil, Flumioxazin, Halauxifen-methyl, Imazapyr, Imidacloprid, Metalaxyl, Napropamide, Pyraclostrobin, Pyrethrins, Quizalofop-ethyl, Sethoxydim, Sulfoxaflor and, Terbuthylazine in specified plant commodities; - Benzovindiflupyr in specified animal commodities.
This application seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to align the maximum residue limit (MRL) for imazapyr in barley with that in the domestic APVMA MRL standard and Codex. The MRL for imazapyr in the Code is to be increased from 0.05 mg/kg to 0.7 mg/kg.