Notifications for Australia (406 notifications)

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: Aminopyralid, Bromoxynil, Clofentezine, Fluxapyroxad, Halauxifen-methyl, Imazapyr, Mefentrifluconazole, Pyraclostrobin and Topramezone in specified plant commodities, Fluralaner, Mefentrifluconazole and Topramezone in specified animal 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: Acetamiprid, Cyfluthrin, Cyprodinil, Fludioxonil, Haloxyfop, Metolachlor, Penthiopyrad, Phosphorous acid, Pirimicarb, Pyripoxyfen in specified plant commodities.

The Australian Government has completed a review of exotic Ceratocystis species, their potential impact and the risks posed by the nursery stock pathway. With the exception of a few native species infecting Eucalyptus, and one undescribed species infecting Syngonium, Australia is free from all other species of Ceratocystis A review of the risk posed by the nursery stock pathway has concluded that inspection alone of susceptible nursery stock host genera is insufficient to manage the risk of Ceratocystis species. Therefore, new measures are implemented. Host genera of quarantine pest Ceratocystis species will require 12 months of post-entry quarantine growth in a closed government facility, with active testing by culturing (or equivalent) for species of Ceratocystis The following genera are subject to these measures: AcaciaActinidiaAlocasiaAnnonaArracaciaBetulaBrachystegiaBurkeaCarapaCaryaCitrusCoffeaColocasiaColophospermumCombretumCrotalariaCunninghamiaDalbergiaEriobotryaEucalyptusFaureaFicusGmelinaHeveaIpomoeaJulbernadiaMangiferaManihotMetrosiderosOchna, Ozoroa, ParinariPassifloraPlatanusPopulusProteaPrunusPunicaQuercusRapaneaSchizolobiumSchotiaSpathodeaStyraxSyzgygiumTerminaliaTheobromaTilia and XanthosomaThis will apply to imports from all countries.  As the majority of these host genera are low volume imports that already require growth and testing in post entry quarantine, it is anticipated that there will be minimal impact to trade. Tissue cultures and seed are excluded from these measures as they are deemed to be a low risk pathway for these fungi.

Measure: The proposed amendments to the Gene Technology Regulations 2001 that were notified in G/SPS/N/AUS/442 (15 December 2017) have been adopted as the Gene Technology Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2019.These amendments clarify the status of organisms that have been modified using certain new technologies (two site directed nuclease techniques, oligo-directed mutagenesis and some RNA interference techniques) and which organisms will be regulated as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Australia. They also identify some organisms which will not require regulation as GMOs in Australia.These amendments will commence on 8 October 2019. The Gene Technology Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2019 include other amendments that relate to minor administrative matters and requirements for activities with GMOs in containment facilities.

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: - Bromoxynil, Chlorantraniliprole, Fluopyram, Glyphosate, Haloxyfop, Indoxacarb, Mandestrobin, Pyrethrins, Sethoxydim and Trichlorfon in specified plant commodities; - Diflubenzuron, Fluopryam, Mandestrobin, Praziquantel, Pyrethrins and Trichlorfon in specified animal commodities.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) has released a draft report on its assessment of high pressure processing (HPP) of chicken meat as an alternative risk management measure to the heat treatments in the department's Generic import risk analysis report for chicken meat: final report 2008 (chicken meat IRA).The draft report has concluded that HPP of chicken meat is not considered to be a suitable alternative risk management measure to the heat treatments in the chicken meat IRA.Stakeholder submissions are sought regarding the scientific aspects of the assessment.The department intends to release a final report on HPP of chicken meat following consideration of submissions received in response to the draft report. The draft report can be accessed via http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/animal.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has released a draft report of a review of import conditions of zoo bovids and their semen from approved countries for a 60 day consultation period. The review takes into account peer-reviewed scientific information, advice from scientific experts, and relevant changes in industry practices and operational practicalities. The review identifies and categorises hazards of biosecurity concern associated with the importation of zoo bovids and their semen. A review of disease agents is included. The department intends to release a final review on the import conditions of zoo bovids following assessment of submissions received in response to the draft report.

Commencement of the draft Pest Risk Analysis for Cut Flowers and Foliage Imports – Part 2.

As notified on 28 February 2019 (G/SPS/N/AUS/469), Phase 1 conditions of the emergency measures will expire at midnight 31 March 2019. Phase 3 of the emergency measures (PCR testing) will now be implemented effective 1 April 2019.To facilitate an orderly transition to Phase 3, Phase 2 (ELISA) and Phase 3 (PCR) conditions will be permitted to run concurrently from 1 April to midnight preceding 15 April 2019. The concurrent operation of Phase 2 (ELISA) and Phase 3 (PCR) conditions will cease at midnight preceding 15 April 2019, at which time ONLY seed lots that are tested under Phase 3 (PCR) conditions will be permitted entry into Australia.Phase 2 conditions (interim, effective from 1 April 2019 to midnight preceding 15 April 2019): - Testing — mandatory off-shore or on-shore testing by ELISA on a sample size of 20,000 seeds (or 20 per cent for small seed lots) using an existing commercially available kit (AGDIA-TMV OR Prime Diagnostics-ToMV) to verify freedom from ToBRFV; AND - Certification — Seed lots tested off-shore must be accompanied by an official government Phytosanitary Certificate endorsed with the following additional declaration: >'The consignment of [botanical name(s)Genus species)] comprises [insert number of tomato/capsicum seed lots] seed lot(s); for each seed lot, seeds were tested by ELISA [insert laboratory name(s) and report number(s)] on a sample size of 20,000 seeds (or 20 per cent of small seed lots) and found free from Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).' Phase 3 conditions (ongoing, effective 1 April 2019): - Testing — Mandatory off-shore or on-shore testing by a PCR method approved by the department on a sample size of 20,000 seeds (or 20 per cent for small seed lots) to verify freedom from ToBRFV; AND - Certification — Seed lots tested off-shore must be accompanied by an official government Phytosanitary Certificate endorsed with the following additional declaration: >'The consignment of [botanical name(s)Genus species)] comprises [insert number of tomato/capsicum seed lots] seed lot(s); for each seed lot, seeds were tested by PCR [insert laboratory name(s) and report number(s)] on a sample size of 20,000 seeds (or 20 per cent of small seed lots) and found free from Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).' Optional (for each phase): For consignments that do not have the specific additional phytosanitary declarations but have laboratory testing reports:The consignment must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate that links to, and is accompanied by, a laboratory report. The botanical name and lot number(s) must be presented on the Phytosanitary Certificate. The laboratory report must state: a) The seed species tested; b) That a 20,000 seed sample was tested and the test type used; c) The test result confirming freedom from ToBRFV; d) The lot number(s), which must match the phytosanitary certificate; e) The date of testing; f) The laboratory name and address.Details of the department-approved PCR test are available on the department's website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/plant-products/seeds-for-sowing/emergency-measures-tobrfv. Other PCR protocols will be considered where evidence of efficacy of the test is provided, on a case-by-case basis.

Draft pest risk analysis and the proposed measures to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection for the import of fresh Chinese jujube fruit from China. The draft report includes:- Summary; - Introduction, including Australia's biosecurity policy framework and this pest risk analysis; - Method for pest risk analysis; - China's commercial production practices for Chinese jujube; - Pest risk assessments; - Pest risk management;- Conclusion; - Pest categorisation.

Draft pest risk analysis and the proposed measures to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia for the import of fresh avocado fruit from Chile. The draft report includes:- Summary;- Introduction, including Australia's biosecurity policy framework and this pest risk analysis;- Method for pest risk analysis;- Chile's commercial production practices for avocados;- Pest risk assessments;- Pest risk management;- Conclusion;- Pest categorisation.

Emergency phytosanitary measures for the importation of tomato and capsicum seeds are being introduced to mitigate the biosecurity risk posed by Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).

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, Cyproconazole, Fenoxycarb, Fenvalerate, Fipronil, Florpyrauxifen-benzyl, Phosphorous acid and Thiabendazole in specified plant commodities.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has completed this risk analysis for loose, fresh date fruit (greater than 30% moisture content) (Phoenix dactylifera) from Algeria, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, the State of Kuwait, the Lebanese Republic, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian territories, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen into Australia. The final report recommends a combination of risk management measures and a system of operational procedures that will reduce the risks associated with the importation of fresh date fruit from countries and territories in the Middle East and North Africa region to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection.The final report recommends that the importation of fresh date fruit into Australia from the Middle East and North Africa region meets Australian biosecurity requirements subject to a range of risk management measures, including measures for spider mites (three species), fruit flies (three species) and mealybugs (two species).The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website on 31 July 2018 for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period, SPS notification G/SPS/N/AUS/454.The completed report is available in English on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/ba2019-P02

The draft report of the pest risk analysis and the confirmed measures to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection for the import of fresh cut flowers and foliage from all countries was released for comment on 14 November 2018.The draft pest risk analysis was released for public comment on 14 November 2018, with the comment period closing on 31 January 2019 (see SPS notification G/SPS/N/AUS/435/Add.2).Due to a number of stakeholders requesting extensions to the comment timeframe, the Australian Government is extending the comment period for another six weeks – now closing on Friday 15 March 2019. If stakeholders have already submitted comments but wish to provide more detail, subsequent submissions are welcome.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) is remaking the Imported Food Control Order (the Order).Food imported to Australia for commercial purposes is regulated by law. These laws include:Imported Food Control Act 1992http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/reform Imported Food Control Regulations 1993 (http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/imported-food-control-regulations Imported Food Control Order 2001 (http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/review-imported-food-control-orderThe Imported Food Control Order 2001 will 'sunset' on 1 October 2019. This means it will be automatically repealed and cease to be law. To remain law, the department will now remake the Order.The department has reviewed the Order and determined it is still required to: - support the operation of the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (the Scheme); - enable the Scheme to verify risk foods imported into Australia; - comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. > Purpose of the OrderThe current Imported Food Order supports the operation of the Scheme. It: - enables the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources to identify and classify imported food as risk food or compliance agreement food; - enables the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources to identify risk food that must be covered by a recognised foreign government certificate; - supports our obligations under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA). >Identify and classify foodsClassification of foods as risk foods or compliance agreement food: - allows us to set arrangements for the inspection or inspection and analysis of imported foods subject to the Scheme; - supports importers who enter into a voluntary Food Import Compliance Agreement (FICA) (http://agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/inspection-compliance/food-import-compliance-agreements-fica). Foods subject to a FICA are exempt from inspection and analysis. >Mandatory foreign government certificationThe Order identifies risk foods products that must be covered by a recognised foreign government certificate. This is a government-to-government certification arrangement with the national competent authority of the country exporting food to Australia providing assurance that the food has been produced safely.Obligations under the TTMRAUnder the Order, we can identify New Zealand products that require or do not require inspection or inspection and analysis under the Scheme. - Schedule 1: Most risk foods identified are exempt from the Scheme when imported from New Zealand. - Schedule 2: Identifies foods from New Zealand that require inspection or inspection and analysis.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources released the Final group pest risk analysis for mealybugs and the viruses they transmit on fresh fruit, vegetable, cut-flower and foliage imports on 31 January 2019.The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website on 28 September 2018 for a 60-day stakeholder consultation period and with a WTO SPS notification with reference number G/SPS/N/AUS/458 published on 1 October 2018.The final report is available in English on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website at:http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/group-pest-risk-analyses/mealybugs/final-report

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) is remaking the Imported Food Control Regulations (the Regulations). The Imported Food Control Regulations are made under the Imported Food Control Act 1992 and are part of the legislative framework for the importation of food for commercial purposes into Australia.Currently the Regulations: - establish and set out the operation of the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (the Scheme); - enable the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources to make Orders that classify imported foods and determine how these foods are selected for inspection, or inspection and analysis under the Scheme; - set out provisions for application of:                          - food control certificates;                          - defining when a food is a failing food;                          - chargeable service fees for assessing imported food at the border. >Sunsetting changes to the RegulationsUnder Australian law, all regulations sunset which means they are automatically repealed and cease to be law.We have designed these draft changes to remake the Regulations so they continue to be law and to simplify the administration of the Scheme. These changes reflect best practice regulation, and will enable the Scheme to be more flexible and responsive to changing trade in food.Changes in the draft Regulations will: - Permit the use of recognised quality assurance certificates for the importation of some risk-classified foods. This is an alternative to mandatory foreign government certification requirements; - Amend weights and volumes of food for private consumption (exempt from the Scheme) to 1kg in weight or 1L in volume; - Amend the allowance of prohibited plants and fungi for private consumption to 0kg, to manage risks to human health; - Amend the inspection rate applied when food inspected at the reduced rate of 5% is identified as a failing food, the inspection rate returns to the tightened rate of 100%; -  Formalise the power of authorised officers to request information about a food so that the food can be correctly inspected or inspected and analysed under the Scheme. >Changes reflecting the Imported Food Control Amendment ActThe Imported Food Control Amendment Act 2018 amended the Imported Food Control Act 1992. Under the amended law, Australia can better manage imported food safety risks and meet international trading obligations. A previous SPS notification on these changes was provided in March 2017 (G/SPS/N/AUS/416).The drafted Regulations reflect the changes in the law, and will allow the department to: - Require importers to provide a food safety management certificate, showing that producers have certified food safety controls to manage safety hazards (for certain foods). The department will consult with industry before imposing this requirement; - Establish variable rates of inspection or inspection and analysis, where there is uncertainty about the safety of a particular food; - Reduce the inspection rate for food imported from a country that has a food safety regulatory system recognised as equivalent to Australia's food safety system. > Read more about the Imported Food Control Amendment Act (http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/reform).

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:Amisulbrom, Azoxystrobin, Bifenthrin, Bixafen, Clothianidin, Cyprodinil, Diafenthiuron, Dinotefuran, Ethephon, Fludioxinil, Fluensulfone, Fluopyram, Imidacloprid, Indoxacarb, Phosphine, Phosphorous acid, Spinetoram, Sulfoxaflor and Tebuconazole in specified plant commodities; Fluopyram and Praziquantel in specified animal commodities.

Draft pest risk analysis and the proposed measures to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection for the import of fresh longan fruit from Viet Nam. The draft report includes: - Summary; - Introduction, including Australia's biosecurity policy framework and this pest risk analysis; - Method for pest risk analysis; - Viet Nam's commercial production practices for longan; - Pest risk assessments; - Pest risk management; - Conclusion; - Pest categorisation.