Notifications for Australia (406 notifications)

This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various agricultural and veterinary chemicals with Codex or 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:2, 4-D, abamectin, acetamiprid, alpha-cypermethrin, benzovindiflupyr, boscalid, bupirimate, carbaryl, chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos-methyl, clofentezine, clothianidin, cyflufenamid, cyprodinil, deltamethrin, difenoconazole, diflubenzuron, diflufenican, diuron, emamectin, famoxadone, fenazaquin, fenbuconazole, fenpyrazamine, fluazifop-p-butyl, fluazinam, fluopyram, flupyradifurone, fluxapyroxad, folpet, halosulfuron-methyl, lambda-cyhalothrin, mandestrobin, mesotrione, metaflumizone, metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam), methamidophos, methidathion, penthiopyrad, phenmedipham, phosmet, phosphine, pirimicarb, prochloraz, profenofos, propaquizafop, pyraclostrobin, pyrimethanil, quinoxyfen, quizalofop P-tefuryl, quizalofop-P (P ethyl), rimsulfuron, saflufenacil, sethoxydim, sulfoxaflor, tebufenozide, tebufenpyrad, teflubenzuron, terbacil, thiophanate-methyl and trifluralin.Note: There were no increases or new MRLs for animal food commodities, however there were deletions for animal food commodities.The agvet chemicals where deletions or reductions in MRLs are proposed are:aldoxycarb, azaconazole, carbaryl, chinomethionat (see oxythioquinox), chlorpropham, clodinafop acid, clodinafop-propargyl, diafenthiuron, dimethipin, dimethirimol, diuron, fenvalerate, flamprop-methyl, flucythrinate, flusilazole, olaquindox, oxydemeton-methyl, oxythioquinox, permethrin, phosmet, propargite, pyridate, sulfoxaflor, sulprofos, tebufenozide, tetrachlorvinphos, tetradifon, thiometon, tolylfluanid, trichloroethylene and triflumizole.

In 2017, Australia released a consultation paper, Proposals for changes to the inspection and analysis of imported food – May 2017. The changes were also notified internationally via a WTO/SPS notification (G/SPS/N/AUS/424). One of the proposed changes was to restrict the importation of bivalves and bivalve mollusc products, unless covered by a foreign government certificate.In response to the comments received on the May 2017 consultation paper, this second consultation paper provides more detail on the scope of products required to have government certification, the certification requirements, hazards required to be managed and details of border verification testing.Australia has prepared science-based risk statements on the hazards associated with bivalve molluscs and bivalve mollusc products and these are published on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand websiteThe risk advice emphasises the importance of these hazards being mitigated by harvesting bivalve molluscs from approved areas and ensuring producers follow a verified sanitation program. Certification will enable Australia to have assurance that through-chain production controls are in place to manage the hazards associated with the growing, harvesting and production of bivalve molluscs and bivalve mollusc products. This will align the regulation of imported bivalves with domestic bivalve mollusc requirements in Australia. Subject to consideration of issues raised on the proposed changes, it would be expected that these changes would take effect from mid 2020.

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 on 14 November 2018.The analysis of interception data undertaken as part of the pest risk analysis indicates a high detection rate of invertebrate pests on imported cut flowers and foliage including thrips, aphids and mites. Of particular concern is the high number and frequency of thrips detected as many of these are quarantine pests for Australia. Thrips are the primary vectors of orthotospoviruses, many of which are also quarantine pests for Australia. The ongoing high number of live pests detected on imported cut flowers at the border poses a level of phytosanitary risk that exceeds Australia's appropriate level of protection.New biosecurity import conditions for imported fresh cut flowers and foliage were implemented on 1 March 2018 (see SPS notifications G/SPS/N/AUS/435 and G/SPS/N/AUS/435/Add.1). The draft report confirms that these changes are necessary to protect Australia's plant producers and the natural environment from exotic pests.The risk analysis is being conducted in two parts: (i) an assessment of the three major arthropod pest groups - thrips, aphids and mites; and (ii) an assessment of other arthropod pests.Part 1 of the draft report includes: Summary Introduction Commercial trade and production Cut flower and foliage pathway Previous import policies and principles Changing patterns of activity and risk Pest risk assessment Pest risk management Conclusion >Part 2 will include a number of other arthropod pests that are national priority plant pests for Australia, or which are capable of transmitting a national priority plant pest.Notification of the release of the draft report is provided in Biosecurity Advice 2018/30.

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, 2,4-D, Fipronil, Fluensulfone, Fluvalinate, Indoxacarb, Linuron, Paclobutrazole, Pyraclostrobin, Spiroxamine, Sulfoxaflor and Tebuconazole in specified plant commodities, and Hexythiazox and Spiroxamine in specified animal commodities.

As set out in Biosecurity Advice 2018/26 (http://agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/ba2018-26), stakeholders are invited to comment on proposed revised import conditions for salmonid products from approved countries (excluding New Zealand). These have been developed following a review undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department).To manage the biosecurity risks associated with wastes generated in the post-border processing of imported salmonid products, salmonid products imported into Australia must be in a consumer ready form (at least de-headed, de-gilled and eviscerated) or must be sent to an establishment for further processing into a consumer ready form prior to release.The Import Risk Analysis on Non-viable Salmonids and Non-salmonid Marine Finfish 1999 (IRA) recommended that all onshore processing of salmonid products exceeding 300kg/day be undertaken at a quarantine approved premise (now an Approved Arrangement) or if processing less than 300kg/day, subject to a compliance agreement with the department.There are currently no Approved Arrangements (AA) or compliance agreements for establishments wishing to process imported salmonid products. To ensure the post arrival processing of salmonid products in Australia will be managed as recommended by the 1999 IRA, simplified conditions are proposed.The proposed conditions require that all salmonid products imported in a form that requires further processing in Australia to remain under biosecurity control at an establishment that has entered into an approved arrangement with the department. Salmonid product subject to this requirement will only be released from biosecurity control after it has been transformed into a consumer ready form. Salmonid products that are imported in a consumer ready form will not be subject to these conditions.These changes consolidate certification requirements for all approved countries reducing confusion and unnecessary delays at the border and provides for biosecure post arrival processing arrangements that previously did not exist. Because the thermal treatment is deemed to manage the risks from diseases identified in the 1999 IRA, certification of the animal health and surveillance requirements is not required. Non-approved countries may also seek recognition for thermally treated product after satisfying the department of its capacity to meet the requirements above on a case by case basis. The department invites stakeholders to provide comment on the proposed biosecurity requirements for post-entry processing of salmonid products sourced from approved countries (excluding New Zealand).

Draft pest risk analysis and the proposed measures to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia for the import of fresh breadfruit from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. The draft report includes: Summary; Introduction, including Australia's biosecurity policy framework and this pest risk analysis; method for pest risk analysis; commercial production practices for breadfruit; pest risk assessments for quarantine pests; pest risk management; conclusion; and pest categorisation.

The draft group pest risk analysis considers the biosecurity risk posed by all members of the Pseudococcidae, Putoidae and Rhizoecidae families, commonly referred to as mealybugs, and all viruses transmitted by mealybugs that are (or are likely to be) associated with fresh fruit, vegetables, cut flowers or foliage imported into Australia as commercial consignments. Phytosanitary measures are identified in the draft report for use in specific cases where measures are required. The draft report includes seven chapters and seven appendixes as follows:Summary  - Introduction  - Pest categorisation of mealybugs  - Pest risk assessment of mealybugs  - Pest categorisation of viruses transmitted by mealybugs  - Pest risk assessment of viruses transmitted by mealybugs  - Key findings  - Pest risk management Appendixes A-G

The draft report includes a description of Australia's biosecurity policy framework and pest risk analysis; Chinese Taipei's commercial production practices for decrowned pineapples; Pest risk assessments for quarantine pests; Pest risk management; and Pest categorisation.

This notification advises that revised phytosanitary measures have been introduced for the importation of certain goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries listed. These measures are required to effectively manage the biosecurity risk from brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) and to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection.All target high risk break bulk and containerised goods from target risk countries will now require mandatory treatment as of 1 September 2018 as per measures announced previously in August 2017 (G/SPS/N/AUS/432).Treatment measures for BMSB are:  - Methyl bromide      - A dose of 16g/m3 or above, at 15°C or above, for 12 hours or longer, with an end point reading of 50% or more of the initial concentration.   - Heat      - At 50°C or higher for at least 20 minutes. The minimum temperature of the coldest part of the treated good should reach at least 50°C for at least 20 minutes.    - Sulfuryl fluoride    Treatment providers not using an approved third party program*     - A dose of 24g/m3 or above, at 10°C or above, for 12 hours or longer, with a minimum end point concentration of 12g/m3; or     - A dose of 16g/m3 or above, at 10 °C or above, for 24 hours or longer, with a minimum end point concentration of 8g/m3    Treatment providers using an approved third party program*     - Achieve a CT of 200g-h/m3 or more, while conducting the treatment at 10°C or above, for 12 hours or longer, with a minimum end point concentration of 12g/m, or     - Achieve a CT of 200g-h/m3 or more, while conducting the treatment at 10°C or above, for 24 hours or longer, with a minimum end point concentration of 8g/m3 * The approved third party programs are:  - Douglas Products Fumiguide;  - Ensystex II, Inc Fumicalc. >Further information on the revised phytosanitary measure is available at: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/bmsbA draft pest risk analysis report that identifies BMSB as a pest requiring risk management measures in order to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia was released in August 2017 and is available at:http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/ba2017-18.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has completed this risk analysis in response to the market access request for dragon fruit from Indonesia 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 dragon fruit from Indonesia to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia.The final report recommends that the importation of dragon fruit into Australia from Indonesia meets Australia's biosecurity requirements subject to a range of risk management measures for fruit flies (two species) and mealybugs (five species).The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website on 17 January 2018 for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period and was published as an SPS notification with reference number G/SPS/N/AUS/444.The completed 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/plant/dragon-fruit-indonesia

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: Chlorantraniliprole, Cypermethrin, Flamprop-methyl, Maldison, Methomyl, Pymetrozine, Quintozene in specified plant commodities, Flamprop-methyl and Quintozene in specified animal commodities.

The draft report presents pest risk assessments for Pepino mosaic virus and five pospiviroid species: Columnea latent viroidPepper chat fruit viroidTomato apical stunt viroidTomato chlorotic dwarf viroid and Tomato planta macho viroid, but not for Potato spindle tuber viroid, as it is no longer categorised as a quarantine pest for Australia. The pest risk analysis considers imports of seed of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and wild tomato (Solanum chilense, S. chmielewskii, S. parviflorum, S. peruvianum and S. pimpinellifolium). Information is presented about tomato seed production and trade, the epidemiology of the pathogens and Australian testing of seed imports for the pathogens.The draft report proposes a range of risk management measures to mitigate the risks posed by Pepino mosaic virus and the pospiviroids associated with imports of tomato seed. The proposed measures include mandatory laboratory testing or mandatory laboratory testing combined with dry heat treatment. Verification of laboratory testing is also proposed to ensure the reliability of the measures.The draft report includes: - introduction to Australia's biosecurity policy framework and pest risk assessment method; - overview of commercial tomato seed production; - overview of Pepino mosaic virus biology, association with tomato seed and transmission; - overview of pospiviroid biology, association with tomato seed and transmission; - pest risk assessments for Pepino mosaic virus and pospiviroids; - statement on situation of Potato spindle tuber viroid; pest risk management proposals.

Draft pest risk analysis and the proposed measures to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection for the import of fresh date fruit (greater than 30% moisture content) from the Middle East and North Africa region. The draft report includes:  - Summary,  - Introduction, including Australia's biosecurity policy framework and this pest risk analysis,  - Method for pest risk analysis,  - Middle East and North Africa's commercial production practices for fresh dates,  - Pest risk assessments for quarantine pests,  - Pest risk management,  - Pest categorisation.

As set out in Biosecurity Advice 2018/15 published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' website on 27 July 2018 at: www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/ba2018-15 Biosecurity Advice 2018/15 notifies stakeholders of the new import conditions for breaded, battered and crumbed (BBC) prawns imported for human consumption. The notification includes Australia's updated model health certificate for prawns and prawn meat for human consumption, and further information on Australia's biosecurity requirements for the importation of prawns and prawn products for human consumption.All BBC prawns imported into Australia on or after 28 September 2018 must comply with the new import conditions.The new conditions considered stakeholder comments received in response to BA 2018/10. Australia has clarified that the par-cooking step (for example, pre-frying, or baking) is to be applied after the prawn has been coated to solidify and adhere the coating to the prawn.If competent authorities in the exporting country are unable to attest that BBC prawns have undergone a par-cooking step after application of the coating, the prawn products must be managed as per Australia's import conditions for uncooked prawns which requires pre-export and on-arrival disease testing based on sampling and testing methods recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Further information on importing prawns and prawn products into Australia can be found on Australia's Biosecurity Import Condition database (BICON), available at: https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/BiconWeb4.0Competent authorities responsible for certifying BBC prawns products for export to Australia, and existing import permit holders will be contacted by the department regarding implementation of the new conditions. Trading partners that can meet the new import conditions for BBC prawns are requested to provide written confirmation to the department before 28 September 2018.

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:Emamectin, Etoxazole, Flumioxazin, Metamitron, Propiconazole and Sedaxane in specified plant commodities; Metamitron, in specified animal commodities.

Australia has, in line with SPS notifications G/SPS/N/AUS/391 (10 August 2016), G/SPS/N/AUS/391/Corr.1 (11 August 2016) and G/SPS/N/AUS/391/Add.1 (3 January 2018), changed the import requirements for retorted goods for human consumption. From 1 July 2018 consignments of retorted goods for human consumption will be required to be accompanied by government certification. Previously a combination of government endorsed manufacturers' declarations and government certificates was required. An import permit remains a requirement for the importation of retorted goods into Australia. The new import conditions for retorted goods for human consumption are available through the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) at: https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/BiconWeb4.0/.

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: Aminoethoxyvinylglycine, Pendimethalin and Pyridate in specified plant commodities.

As set out in Biosecurity Advice 2018/10 published on the department's website on 30 May 2018 at:agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/ba2018-10The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has determined that new import conditions for breaded, battered and crumbed (BBC) prawns are required to manage the risks associated with the increased volume of BBC products imported into Australia. The revised BBC import conditions ensure that the import of BBC prawns can continue while achieving Australia's appropriate level of protection (ALOP).Pending consideration of comments received during the comment period, all BBC prawns arriving in Australia from 28 September 2018 must be certified by competent authorities of exporting countries to have undergone a par-cooking step (for example, pre-frying or baking) during processing to solidify and adhere the coating to the prawn. BBC prawns will continue to be subject to 100 per cent seals intact inspection on-arrival in Australia. Only those prawns that are verified to have undergone acceptable par-cooking and that meet all other requirements for BBC will be released from biosecurity control.If countries are unable to attest to a par-cooking step for BBC prawns, then Australia's uncooked prawn conditions will apply. The uncooked prawn conditions require pre-export sampling and testing to be conducted post-processing and prior to export to Australia. Only prawns that have been tested and found to be free of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and yellow head virus genotype 1 (YHV1) based on sampling and testing methods recognised by the OIE can be exported to Australia. The uncooked prawns will be subject to 100 per cent secure seals intact inspection on-arrival and testing for WSSV and YHV1 in Australia. Only those batches that test negative for both viruses will be released from biosecurity control.The new import conditions for BBC prawns will remain in place while Australia continues the review of the biosecurity risks of, and import conditions for, prawns and prawn products imported for human consumption as announced by Australia's Director of Biosecurity on 16 May 2017 (Biosecurity Advice 2017/07; G/SPS/N/AUS/422Australia's updated model health certificate for prawns and prawn meat for human consumption is attached. Comments on the new import conditions for BBC prawns can be provided until 29 June 2018 and should be directed to: >Animal Biosecurity, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, GPO Box 858, CANBERRA, ACT 2601Email: AquaticAB@agriculture.gov.au

As set out in Biosecurity Advice 2018/11 on the department's website at: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/ba2018-11.The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources issued Biosecurity Advice 2018/06 on 26 March 2018, inviting submissions on specific issues with Australia's current prawn import conditions and the Final generic import risk analysis report for prawns and prawn products released in 2009.Following consultation with stakeholders, the department has been asked to extend the closing date for comments to 2 July 2018.

The attached pdf identifies a number of changes the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources intends to make to the existing live pigeon import conditions outlined in the four health certificates. These changes are:- clarifications to the existing live pigeon import conditions,- mandatory microchipping of all pigeons as a form of identification, in addition to the existing leg band identification,- mandatory West Nile Virus (WNV) testing; and- amending the title of each certificate from "veterinary certificate" to "health certificate". The department seeks the co-operation of competent authorities to amend their health certificates accordingly.