Notifications for Australia (406 notifications)

Australia has delayed implementation of the new conditions for importing fresh cut flowers and foliage into Australia to 1 March 2018 to allow the National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs), exporters and importers sufficient time to transition to the new conditions. Australia will continue to accept consignments under current import conditions during the transition to the new measures, which will run from 1 November 2017 to 28 February 2018. In preparation for the commencement of the new conditions on 1 March 2018, Australia will exempt consignments from the mandatory onshore fumigation if they are treated prior to export to Australia or are produced under an NPPO approved systems approach. Details of pre-shipment treatment(s) must be provided on a treatment certificate or phytosanitary certificate. Consignments produced under a systems approach must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with the relevant additional declaration. All consignments will be inspected on arrival to confirm that they meet Australia's import requirements, including the absence of quarantine pests. If live quarantine pests are detected the consignment will be directed for remedial treatment. Imports into Australia will be closely monitored during the transition period for freedom from quarantine pests and details of non-compliance will be provided to trading partners to allow them to apply corrective actions for subsequent importation and in preparation for the commencement of the new import conditions on 1 March 2018. From 1 March 2018, all consignments imported in to Australia must meet the new import conditions ie. goods to be shipped in insect-proof packaging and labelled with the scientific name of the plant species. Certain species will require a devitalisation treatment to prevent propagation. The following phytosanitary measures may be applied to ensure absence of quarantine pests to achieve the required phytosanitary status:  - Produced and prepared for export under an NPPO-approved systems approach; or  - Pre-export fumigation with methyl bromide; or  - Alternative pre-shipment disinfestation treatments. On-arrival fumigation will only be used by Australian Government authorities as a remedial treatment when quarantine pests are detected on consignments that are verified by the exporting NPPO as having met Australia's import conditions. If non-compliance continues to be high, Australia will notify trading partners in accordance with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 13 and may request details of their investigation and any corrective actions taken to ensure compliance, consistent with the ISPM. Continued detections of quarantine pests or repeated non-compliant shipments entering Australia may result in additional measures or may trigger the need for an Australian Government audit of the exporting country's phytosanitary certification system. The amended import conditions will be published on Australia's Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON). More information on the new import conditions can be found at the following link: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/plant-products/cut-flowers-foliage/importing-fresh-cut-flowers-into-aus-safely

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:Penflufen, Pyraclostrobin, Saflufenacil and Trifloxystrobin in specified plant commodities; Chlorantraniliprole in specified animal commodities.

Following consultation with stakeholders, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has evaluated all stakeholder submissions and comments and updated the review report accordingly. The final report on the review of the import conditions for fresh (chilled or frozen) beef and products from Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United States and Vanuatu, and the associated biosecurity advice to stakeholders are available on the department's website at: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos/ba2017-19

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has completed a final pest risk analysis for 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' associated with apiaceous crops. This pest risk analysis was initiated in response to the introduction of emergency measures against 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (‘Ca. L. solanacearum') infecting apiaceous crops, including carrot (Daucus carota) and celery/celeriac (Apium graveolens The draft pest risk analysis was released on 11 December 2015 for a 45 day stakeholder consultation period and was published as a SPS notification with reference number G/SPS/N/AUS/377. The recommended import conditions for apiaceous crops (carrot, celery/celeriac, chervil, fennel, parsley and parsnip) are summarised below:  - Seeds for sowing: mandatory off-shore or on-shore PCR testing or hot water treatment (50 °C for 20 minutes); AND if the testing or treatment is conducted off-shore, a Phytosanitary Certificate with the additional declaration that the mandatory treatment or testing has been conducted in accordance with Australia's requirements;  - Tissue cultures off-shore option: mandatory off-shore PCR testing; AND a Phytosanitary Certificate with the additional declaration that the testing has been conducted in accordance with Australia's requirements;  - Tissue cultures on-shore option: mandatory growth in a closed government post-entry quarantine (PEQ) facility for disease screening; AND mandatory on-shore PCR testing for freedom from ‘Ca L. solanacearum'.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources initiated this review in response to confirmation that ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' can be seed-borne and transmitted in apiaceous crops. The review has identified seed-borne pathogens of several apiaceous crops, meeting the International Plant Protection Convention criteria for a quarantine pest. The identified quarantine pests, in addition to ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' include Cercospora foeniculiCercosporamalkoffiiFusarium oxysporum f. sp. coriandrii, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cuminiPhoma complanata, Phomopsis diachenii,Ramularia coriandriRamularia foeniculi and Strawberry latent ringspot virusThis review evaluates the effectiveness of existing risk management measures for identified biosecurity risks and proposes additional mandatory phytosanitary measures to reduce the risk of introduction of the identified quarantine pests for Australia. Standard requirements for the importation of seed for sowing apply to apiaceous seeds from all sources. The department proposes additional phytosanitary measures for Apium graveolens, Anthriscus cerefolium, Carum carviCoriandrum sativumCuminum cyminumDaucus carotaFoeniculum vulgarePastinaca sativa, Petroselinum crispum and Pimpinella anisumThe proposed additional phytosanitary measures include: - mandatory testing or treatment (off-shore or on-shore) for Anthriscus cerefolium Apium graveolens, Carum carviCoriandrum sativumCuminum cyminumDaucus carotaFoeniculum vulgarePastinaca sativa, Petroselinum crispum and Pimpinella anisum seed as specified in this review; - a requirement that seed lots tested or treated off-shore be accompanied by an official government Phytosanitary Certificate endorsed with the additional declaration that the consignment has undergone mandatory treatment or testing in accordance with Australian import conditions.

As part of the ongoing systematic review of Australia's import conditions, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) has reviewed the import conditions for cut flower and foliage imports from all countries. The analysis of interception data undertaken as part of the review 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 tospoviruses, many of which are also quarantine pests for Australia.The ongoing high number of live pests detected on imported cut flowers poses a level of phytosanitary risk that exceeds Australia's appropriate level of protection. In view of this, the department is amending import conditions for cut flowers and foliage exported to Australia to require that consignments are accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate verifying that they are free of live quarantine pests. The amended conditions will also require goods to be shipped in insect-proof packaging and labelled with the scientific name of the plant species. Certain species will require a devitalisation treatment to prevent propagation. The following phytosanitary measures may be applied to ensure absence of quarantine pests to achieve the required phytosanitary status: Produced and prepared for export under an NPPO-approved systems approach Pre-export fumigation with methyl bromide Alternative pre-shipment disinfestation treatments; >The amended import conditions will be published on the department's Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) following amendment of the Biosecurity (Prohibited and Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2016. We anticipate this amendment will take place during November or December 2017.

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, Clomazone, Clothianidin, Cyanamide, Cyclaniliprole, Cyprodinil, Dimethomorph, Fludioxonil, Haloxyfop, Mandipropamid, Methomyl, Methoxyfenozide, Napropamide and Phosphorous acid in specified plant commodities; Clomazone, Cyclaniliprole and Napropamide in specified animal commodities.

Following a review of Australia's export legislation (G/SPS/N/AUS/364) the Australian Government is notifying an Exposure Draft of the Export Control Bill 2017, with proposed improvements to agricultural export legislation.The Bill will consolidate export-related provisions with the Export Control Act1982 and Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997 into a single Export Control Bill. Commodity-specific requirements will then be reflected in Export Control Rules, which will replace the current Export Control Orders without changing their intent.There is no change to Australia's commitment to meet the importing requirements of our trading partners, and international obligations under the SPS Agreement. Business practices and regulatory requirements will remain consistent between the current and future legislation. The improved export legislation provides a regulatory system that is more responsive and efficient to administer. To view the full suite of documents, make a submission or to seek further information, visit the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/export-legislation. Submissions will be accepted until 11:59pm on Tuesday, 24 October 2017 (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

Recommended emergency phytosanitary measures to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia for importation of all containerised and break bulk new and used vehicles, vessels, high risk machinery and parts from all ports in Europe which load cargoes manufactured or stored in Italy after the commencement of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) infestation season. The requirements apply to target goods with a documented loading date in Italy between 1 September 2017 and 30 April 2018 inclusive. The recommended treatments for BMSB are as follows:  - Sulfuryl fluoride – at least 48g/m3 for six hours or longer or at least 16g/m3 for 12 hours or longer both with an end point reading of 50 per cent or more of the initial concentration and conducted at a temperature of 10°C or higher (please note this temperature is 5°C lower than the methyl bromide conditions below);  - Methyl bromide – at least 16g/m3 for 12 hours or longer with an end point reading of 50 per cent or more of the initial concentration and conducted at a temperature of 15°C or higher (please note this temperature is 5°C higher than the sulfuryl fluoride conditions above);  - Heat – 50°C or greater 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. Treatment window before loading:  - Break bulk goods treated before 1 December 2017 have a 96 hour treatment window;  - Break bulk goods treated after 1 December 2017 are unlikely to become re-infested, so they are not subject to a treatment window. Containerised goods sealed in the container immediately after treatment are not subject to a treatment window.

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: Cloquintocet-mexyl, Diquat, Fludioxonil and Tebuconazole in specified plant commodities.

Draft pest risk analysis and the proposed phytosanitary measures to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia for importation of fresh peach, plum and apricot fruits from China. The draft report includes: Summary Introduction and discussion of Australia's biosecurity policy framework Pest risk assessments for quarantine pests Pest risk management Pest categorisation

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, Azoxystrobin, Cyproconazole, Fludioxonil, Fluxapyroxad, Penflufen, Sulfoxaflor and Trifloxystrobin in specified plant commodities.

On 10 January 2017, Australia notified that the importation of uncooked prawns (including prawn meat) had been suspended under the Biosecurity (Suspended Goods - Uncooked Prawns) Determination 2017 (the suspension) for a period of six months. This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).The import suspension will lapse on 6 July 2017. Enhanced import conditions will be put in place from 7 July to allow for safe trade in prawns and prawn products.From 7 July 2017, previous classes of prawn products, namely uncooked prawns, marinated prawns, and Australian prawns processed overseas in a non-Australian government audited supply chain, will be consolidated into one product class. Prawns within this class must be uncooked, frozen and have had the head and shell removed (the last shell segment and tail fans permitted). These prawns will all be subject to the following import conditions: Exporting countries will be required to certify that the prawns have been found to be free of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and yellow head virus (YHV) based on sampling and testing methods recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Pre-export sampling and testing is to be conducted post-processing. The prawns will also be subject to 100 per cent secure seals intact inspection on-arrival in Australia and testing for WSSV and YHV at an Australian screening laboratory. Only those prawns which pass testing for both WSSV and YHV at an approved screening laboratory will be released from biosecurity control. >Australian prawns processed overseas through an Australian Government approved supply chain (as exists for Thailand) will not be subject to pre-export testing. However, this product will continue to be tested on-arrival for WSSV and YHV.Breaded, battered and crumbed prawns will not be subject to pre-export or on-arrival testing. However, this product will continue to be subject to 100 per cent secure seals intact inspection on‑arrival to ensure minimum coating requirements are met.Import conditions will remain in place pending the outcomes of the review of the biosecurity risks of, and import conditions for, prawns and prawn products, which was announced by the department on 16 May 2017 (G/SPS/N/AUS/422). If during this time the biosecurity risks for these products change, the department may amend the import conditions to ensure that biosecurity risk meets Australia's appropriate level of protection. Trading partners that can meet these import conditions and wish to export uncooked prawns to Australia are requested to contact the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to seek approval of export health certification prior to the commencement of trade. A revised model health certificate, including all required health attestations, is attached. http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/AUS/17_2994_00_e.PDF

Please be informed that G/SPS/N/AUS/422/Add.1 is null and void. The information in that notification is contained in G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.7.

On 10 January 2017, Australia notified that the importation of uncooked prawns (including prawn meat) had been suspended under the Biosecurity (Suspended Goods - Uncooked Prawns) Determination 2017 (the suspension) for a period of six months. This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).It is intended that import conditions will be put in place to facilitate safe trade in prawns when the suspension lapses on 6 July 2017. These import conditions will remain in place while Australia undertakes the review of Australia's import conditions for prawns and prawn products, announced by Australia's Director of Biosecurity on 16 May 2017 (G/SPS/N/AUS/422).After the suspension lapses, Australia will consolidate raw prawns (i.e. uncooked frozen prawns that have had the head and shell removed), marinated prawns, and Australian prawns processed overseas, into one product class. These prawns will be subject to the same import conditions.A key import condition is that competent authorities will be required to certify that these prawns have been found post-processing to be free of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and yellow head virus (YHV) based on sampling and testing methods recognised by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). These prawns will also be subject to inspection and testing on-arrival in Australia for WSSV and YHV. Australia will issue another notification before the suspension lapses to confirm import conditions for all prawns and prawn products. This notification will include a link to the updated model export health certificate. Trading partners seeking to resume trade in uncooked prawns and prawn products are asked to contact the department as soon as possible to confirm that the revised import conditions can be met. Trade in uncooked prawns and prawn meat can only resume once the department has received this confirmation and import permits have been updated to reflect the new import conditions.

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 so that they are consistent with other national regulations relating to the safe and effective use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals; and to align certain limits with Codex or trading partner standards relating to residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in food.The following agvet chemicals being considered for specified plant commodities are: Acephate, Acequinocyl, Acetamiprid, Aminocyclopyrachlor, Azoxystrobin, Benzovindiflupyr, Bifenthrin, Brodifacoum, Buprofezin Carbaryl, Carbendazim (Thiophanate), Chlorantraniliprole, Chlorfenvinphos, Chlorpyrifos-methyl, Clopyralid, Cyflumetofen, Cyfluthrin, Cyhalothrin (Lambda Cyhalothrin), Cypermethrin, Cyprodinil, Cyromazine, Deltamethrin, Dichlorvos, Dicloran, Difenoconazole, Disulfoton, Endothal (Endothall), Ethoprophos (Ethoprop), Etofenprox, Fenamiphos, Fenarimol, Fenpropathrin, Fenpropimorph, Fenpyroximate, Fenthion, Fenvalerate (Esfenvalerate), Flonicamid, Flubendiamide, Fludioxonil, Flumioxazin, Fluopyram, Flusilazole, Flutriafol, Fosetyl-aluminium (Fosetyl-al), Glyphosate, Hexythiazox, Imazamox, Imidacloprid, Inorganic bromide, Iprodione Maldison (Malathion), Mesotrione, Metaflumizone, Metalaxyl, Metconazole, Methamidophos, Methomyl, Myclobutanil, Naled, Nicarbazin, Norflurazon, Novaluron, Oxathiapiprolin, Paraquat, Phenothrin, 2-Phenylphenol, Phosphine, Propyzamide, Prothioconazole, Pyraflufen-ethyl, Pyridaben, Pyrimethanil, Quintozene, Rimosulfuron, Saflufenacil, Sedaxane, Sethoxydim (Clethodim), Spinetoram, Spirotetramat, Tebuconazole, Tetradifon, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Thifensulfuron, Triadimenol, Trifloxystrobin Virginiamycin. MRLs for specified animal commodities are also being considered for Aminocyclopyrachlor, Dichlorvos, Fenamiphos and Virginiamycin.

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: Fluazinam, Pyraflufen-ethyl and Spirotetramat in specified plant commodities.

Emergency measures to address the risk of introduction of peanut smut (Thecaphora frezii) in peanuts from countries where peanut smut is recorded (Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia).

Draft pest risk analysis and the proposed measures to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia for importation of Tahitian limes from the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. The draft report includes: - Introduction and discussion of Australia's biosecurity policy framework; - Methods for pest risk analysis; - Description of typical production practices for Tahitian limes; - Pest risk assessments for quarantine pests; - Pest risk management; - Pest categorisation.

On 6 January 2017, Australia suspended the importation of uncooked prawns (including prawn meat) under the Biosecurity (Suspended Goods - Uncooked Prawns) Determination 2017 (the Determination) effective 9 January 2017. This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).On 15 May 2017, Australia's Director of Biosecurity made a fourth amendment to the scope of the Determination to exempt uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat that is marinated for human consumption (uncooked marinated prawns). This exemption was granted on the provision that this class of product meets a number of interim measures to ensure biosecurity risks are adequately managed. Australia has developed these interim measures and a revised model health certificate, including all required health attestations. The model health certificate is attached.To facilitate trade in uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat that is marinated for human consumption, importers must hold a valid Australian import permit. Import permits issued prior to the suspension (before 9 January 2017) are suspended. Once the suspension is lifted, the department will vary import permits to include new import conditions.The competent authority of the exporting country is required to certify that the prawn consignment has been found free of WSSV and yellow head virus (YHV) based on sampling and testing methods recognised by the World Organisation for Animal health (OIE).In addition, uncooked marinated prawns are also required to comply with existing biosecurity risk management measures for marinated product, including being peeled (excluding marinated butterflied prawns), free from visible signs of disease, clearly labelled for human consumption only, and meet Australia's product definition for marinated prawns. Australia will be implementing measures at the border to verify health certificate attestations. At-border measures will include 100 percent on-arrival inspection and 100 percent testing for WSSV and YHV. These measures will continue for all uncooked marinated prawn consignments while interim conditions remain in place.Trading partners that can meet the interim measures and wish to export uncooked marinated prawns to Australia are requested to contact the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to seek approval of export health certification prior to the commencement of trade.http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/AUS/17_2489_00_e.pdf