Notifications for Australia (406 notifications)

Australia has prepared science-based risk statements on the risks associated with certain imported foods and these are published on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand websiteIn response to these risk statements, Australia is proposing legislative changes that would result in changes to the inspection and analysis of some imported foods.Specific detail on the changes to the inspection and analysis of foods is available at www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/notices/ifn-09-17The proposed changes include the following: Bivalve molluscs and foods containing bivalve molluscs (bivalve mollusc products) would require negotiated government certification to be imported into Australia. Bivalve mollusc products would be classified as a risk food so they could be inspected and analysed for biotoxins and microorganisms; Foods containing cooked prawns that are ready-to-eat would be classified as a risk food so they could be inspected and analysed for Vibrio Cholerae; Dried coconut and cooked crustaceans (other than cooked prawns) would be reclassified so that they are no longer risk foods and therefore subject to a lower rate of inspection and analysis; Foods specified in Schedule 23 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (prohibited plants and fungi) would be classified as risk food so these could be more efficiently targetted for inspection. Other legislative changes are also proposed to align the imported food legislation with the food that is considered to pose a medium or high risk to public health as described in risk statements published by FSANZ. These proposed changes would relate to finfish, seaweed, cheese, meat, spices, sesame seeds and sesame seed products and foods containing peanuts or pistachios. Subject to consideration of issues raised on the proposed changes, it would be expected that these changes would take effect in September or October 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:Bixafen, Buprofezin, Clopyralid, Clothianidin, Flumioxazin, Imazamox and Imazapyr in specified plant commodities; Bixafen in specified animal 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 Determination). This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).Australia notified of the amendment of the Determination on 10 February 2017, 27 February 2017 and 3 April 2017, exempting a number of prawns and prawn products which, following review, were deemed to present a low risk of introducing prawn diseases into Australia. Some goods exempted include dried prawn and shelf‑stable prawn-based food products (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.1), irradiated bait for aquatic use, pet fish food and aquaculture feed (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.1), uncooked prawns sourced from Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.1), prawns and prawn meat from Australia's External Territories (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.2), uncooked Australian wild‑caught prawns exported to Thailand for processing in a facility approved by Thailand's Department of Fisheries (DoF), and re-exported to Australia (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.2), and uncooked Australian wild‑caught prawns exported to all other countries for processing, and re‑exported to Australia (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.3 and G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.4).On 15 May 2017, Australia issued a fourth amendment to the scope of the Determination to exempt uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat that is marinated for human consumption.Interim revised import conditions to facilitate the resumption of trade in these products are being developed. Further information regarding these revised import conditions will be provided to trading partners through a subsequent World Trade Organization notification. Trade in these products can only resume once interim import conditions have been implemented. This most recent amendment to the Determination can be found at: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00537.

As set out in the Biosecurity Advice (http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ba/memos/2017/ba2017-07.pdf), Australia's Director of Biosecurity is conducting a review of Australia's import requirements for prawns and prawn products for human consumption from all countries. The review will identify and categorise hazards of biosecurity concern associated with the importation of these products, including undertaking risk assessments of disease agents as required. Trading partners will be informed of the release of the draft report and will have the opportunity to provide comment.

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:Bicyclopyrone, Iprodione, Metalaxyl and Propyzamide in specified plant commodities; and Bicyclopyrone in specified animal commodities.

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). This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).On 5 April 2017, Australia notified a third amendment (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.3), exempting uncooked Australian wild-caught prawns exported overseas for processing, and re-exported to Australia. This exemption was granted on the provision that these products met 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 (see link below).To facilitate trade in uncooked Australian wild-caught prawns exported overseas for processing, and re-exported to Australia, importers must hold a valid Australian import permit which contains the revised interim measures. The competent authority (CA) of the exporting country is also required to certify that the prawn consignment has been processed in CA approved premises with procedures in place to ensure product segregation throughout transport, processing and storage. In addition, the CA must certify that the processed prawns have:- 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); and - had at least the head and shell removed. Australia will be implementing measures at the border to verify health certificate attestations. At-border measures will include on-arrival inspection and testing for WSSV and YHV. On-arrival testing for WSSV and YHV will continue for 100 percent of consignments while interim conditions remain in place.Trading partners that can meet the interim measures and wish to re-export uncooked Australian wild-caught 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_1946_00_e.pdf

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). This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).Australia amended the Determination on 10 February 2017 and on 27 February 2017, exempting a number of prawns and prawn products which, following review, were deemed to present a low risk of introducing prawn diseases into Australia. Some goods exempted include dried prawn and shelf-stable prawn-based food products (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.1), irradiated bait for aquatic use, pet fish food and aquaculture feed (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.1), uncooked prawns sourced from Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.1), prawns and prawn meat from Australia’s External Territories (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.2), and uncooked Australian wild-caught prawns exported to Thailand for processing in a facility approved by Thailand's Department of Fisheries (DoF), and re-exported to Australia (G/SPS/N/AUS/412/Add.2).On 3 April 2017, Australia issued a third amendment to the scope of the Determination to exempt uncooked Australian wild-caught prawns exported to all other countries for processing, and re-exported to Australia.Interim revised import conditions to facilitate the resumption of trade in these products are being developed. Further information regarding these revised import conditions will be provided to trading partners through a subsequent World Trade Organization notification. Trade in these products can only resume once interim import conditions have been implemented.This most recent amendment to the Determination can be found at:https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00381

A final report on a risk assessment of the animal and human health risks associated with imported captive non-human primates. Importation of captive non-human primates will be permitted subject to biosecurity legislation, and the application of sanitary measures. The report identifies and categorizes hazards of biosecurity concern associated with the importation of captive non-human primates and includes a review of disease agents.

The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has finalised a review of the importation of frozen bovine in vitro produced embryos from Canada and the United States. Bovine in vitro produced embryos from Canada and the United States will be able to be imported, subject to biosecurity legislation, the negotiation of sample health certificates, and the application of sanitary measures as specified in the document Importation of frozen bovine in vitro produced embryos from Canada and the United States - Final review.

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 acid, Fluopicolide, Metolachlor, Propamocarb and Propyzamide in specified plant commodities; - Fluopicolide and Propamocarb, in specified animal commodities.

The notice advises trading partners of the visual changes to Australian plant export certificates on 10 April 2017. These changes ensure certificates comply with International Plant Protection Convention standards and they will not affect trade. https://www.ippc.int/en/countries/australia/countrynews/2017/02/update-to-plant-export-certificates/ http://www.agriculture.gov.au/export/controlled-goods/plants-plant-products/ian/2017/2017-07

As notified on 21 August 2014 (G/SPS/N/AUS/345), Australia's emergency measures against "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" require that carrot seed for sowing and carrot and celery tissue cultures must be subject to testing. Since the introduction of the emergency measures, "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" has been detected on the seeds of celery/celeriac (Apium graveolens), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). The seeds and tissue cultures of these species will be subject to the same emergency measures as the seeds of carrot and tissue cultures of carrot and celery. The emergency measures against "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" for the seeds of these additional hosts will be effective from 3 April 2017. Amended emergency measures for seeds for sowing: The emergency measures require that seeds for sowing of Apium graveolens, Daucus carota, Pastinaca sativa and Petroselinum crispum are tested for "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" and found free of the bacterium by using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using a sample size of 20,000 seeds. Alternatively the seeds of Apium graveolens, Daucus carota, Pastinaca sativa and Petroselinum crispum may be hot water treated (temperature of 50ºC for at least 20 minutes). Small seed lots of Apium graveolens, Daucus carota, Pastinaca sativa and Petroselinum crispum are PCR tested on arrival in Australia using 20 percent of the seed lot by weight. Phytosanitary certification requirements for seeds for sowing: Each consignment of Apium graveolens, Daucus carota, Pastinaca sativa and Petroselinum crispum must be accompanied by an official government Phytosanitary Certificate endorsed with one of the following additional declarations: The consignment of [botanical name (Genus species)] was tested by PCR [insert Laboratory report number] on a sample of 20,000 seeds and found free from "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum". OR The consignment of [botanical name (Genus species)] was hot water treated (temperature of 50ºC for at least 20 minutes). Amended emergency measures for tissue cultures: The emergency measures require that tissue cultures of Apium graveolens, Daucus carota, Pastinaca sativa and Petroselinum crispum are PCR tested for "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" and found free of the bacterium.

The Australian Government is developing amendments to improve the Imported Food Control Act 1992 (the Act) and its subordinate legislation. The amendments contained in the notified documents are designed to better protect the health of Australian consumers through enabling the Australian Government to strengthen the management of imported food safety risks, while meeting our international trading obligations. Copies of the documents are available from the following website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/imported-food-reform-consultation. A previous SPS notification on these reforms was provided during the regulatory impact statement phase in August 2016 (G/SPS/N/AUS/394). Currently the Act has a strong emphasis on inspecting and, where relevant, testing food at the border to assess the safety of imported foods. The ability to test food at the border is an important part of a food safety system, though it has its limitations when not part of a broader approach to food safety. The amendments seek to strengthen the current risk-based management system by increasing importer accountability and improving responsiveness of food safety risks. It also realigns the Act to be more consistent with current international and domestic approaches to food safety; while reducing the regulatory burden on compliant importers. The amendments are consistent with the Codex Alimentarius Guidelines for Food Import Control Systems and address inconsistencies between Australia's imported and domestic food legislation. Imported food will continue to be required to meet the same food safety standards as food produced in Australia. The following outlines the amendments to be made to the Act: - Food safety management certificates Recognition of foreign government certification or recognised non-government certificates to improve supply chain assurance of particular foods and reduce at the border inspections. - Holding orders Minor amendment to ensure a proportionate response is achievable to an imported food safety incident. - Classification of food Technical amendment to address current limitations when responding to new and emerging food safety risks. It enables the Minister to classify foods into particular categories and subjecting these to appropriate rates of inspection proportionate to the risk they impose. - Recognition of foreign country's food safety system Allows a foreign country's food safety system to be recognised where there is equivalence with Australia's food safety system; reducing at the border inspection and testing of imported foods. - Enforcement Modernises enforcement provisions to be consistent with the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014 that underpins Australia's compliance approach; and to realign with domestic legislation provisions for food safety. - Record keeping A realignment to be more consistent with domestic food safety legislation, importers will need to maintain records one step forward and one step backwards to improve the traceability of imported food. - Making of orders of determinations To allow for holding orders to be targeted to a particular characteristic of a food in order to avoid unnecessary or inappropriate inspection and analysis of other foods. - Use and disclosure of information Modernises the approach to information to meet Australia's domestic and international obligations as well as enabling effective and efficient operation of the Australian food safety management system. - Minor amendments Technical amendments to enhance the operation of the Act and improve harmonisation with existing Commonwealth legislation.

The Australian Government has finalised a review of natural casings. As a result of the review, some changes will be made to import conditions. These changes include: Removal of the requirement for an import permit. The goods will still have to meet Australia's import conditions, which will continue to be available through the department's Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) at: https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/BiconWeb4.0; To simplify the accessibility of this information in BICON, the existing pathways have been streamlined into the following three pathways: o Bovine casings; o Ovine/caprine casings; and o Porcine casings from approved countries; Removal of the departments approved countries for bovine and ovine/caprine casings. Disease freedom recognised by the OIE and FSANZ has been retained for diseases of biosecurity concern; The requirement for packing containers to contain casings from a single species of animals has been removed; and Scrapie requirements have been removed for natural ovine and caprine casings.

On 6 January 2017, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources suspended the importation of uncooked prawns (including prawn meat) under the Biosecurity (Suspended Goods - Uncooked Prawns) Determination 2017. This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Following review and assessment, the department has amended the Determination to exempt a number of prawn and prawn products that have been deemed to present a low-risk of introducing prawn diseases into Australia, thus reinstating the ability to import these goods into Australian territory. The goods concerned are: - uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat harvested within Australia, other than the area to which the WSSV Movement Control Order relates, and sent to the External Territories - uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat harvested from the External Territories, and imported into mainland Australia or between the External Territories - uncooked Australian wild-caught prawns exported to Thailand for processing in a facility approved by Thailand's Department of Fisheries (DoF), and re-exported to Australia; and - uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat (1) as transhipped goods for outgoing passenger vessels engaged in international travels; (2) as laboratory or food samples for analysis. The amendment of the Determination can be found at: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00168.

On 6 January 2017, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources suspended the importation of uncooked prawns (including prawn meat) under the Biosecurity (Suspended Goods - Uncooked Prawns) Determination 2017. This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Following review and assessment, the department has amended the Determination to exempt a number of prawn and prawn products that have been deemed to present a low-risk of introducing prawn diseases into Australia, thus reinstating the ability to import these goods into Australian territory. The goods concerned are: - uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat moved into Australia's External Territories (including Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Norfolk Island) from all origins, and all movements between Australia and the External Territories, and between the External Territories; - uncooked Australian wild-caught prawns exported to Thailand for processing in a facility approved by Thailand's Department of Fisheries (DoF), and re-exported to Australia; and - uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat (1) as transhipped goods for outgoing passenger vessels engaged in international travels; (2) as laboratory or food samples for analysis. The amendment of the Determination can be found at: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00168.

On 6 January 2017, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources suspended the importation of uncooked prawns (including prawn meat) under the Biosecurity (Suspended Goods - Uncooked Prawns) Determination 2017. This was due to an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk posed by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Following review and assessment, the department has amended the Determination to exempt a number of prawn and prawn products that have been deemed to present a low-risk of introducing prawn diseases into Australia, thus reinstating the ability to import these goods into Australian territory. The goods concerned are: - dried prawns and shelf-stable prawn-based food products; - irradiated bait for aquatic use, pet fish food and aquaculture feed; and - uncooked prawns sourced from Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Australian caught prawns are not exempt if they have been exported to another country for processing. The amendment of the Determination can be found at https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00094

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: Flonicamid, Imazamox, Monepantel, Primicarb, Propiconazole, Pyriproxyfen, Spirotetramat, in specified plant commodities.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has completed this risk analysis in response to the market access request for fresh strawberry fruit from the Republic of Korea 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 fresh strawberry fruit from the Republic of Korea, to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia. This final report recommends that the importation of commercially greenhouse grown strawberries from the Republic of Korea be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity conditions, including measures for spotted wing drosophila, Kanzawa spider mite, thrips (two species) and angular leaf spot. The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website on 25 August 2016 for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period and was published as an SPS notification with reference number G/SPS/N/AUS/395. 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/strawberries-from-korea/final-report.

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 Viet Nam into Australia. The final report recommends that the importation of dragon fruit into Australia from Viet Nam meets Australia's biosecurity requirements subject to a range of risk management measures for fruit flies (three species) and mealybugs (four species). One pest requiring risk management, the Pacific mealybug, has been identified as a regional quarantine pest for Western Australia. The final report recommends a range of risk management measures, combined with operational systems to reduce the risks posed by the seven quarantine pests to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia. These measures are consistent with Australia's existing policy and include: - area freedom or vapour heat treatment for fruit flies - consignment freedom verified by visual inspection and, if detected, remedial action for mealybugs. The completed final report is available in English at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/plant/dragon-fruit-from-vietnam/final-report. The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website on 13 September 2016 for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period and was published as an SPS notification with reference number G/SPS/N/AUS/399.