Notifications for Australia (406 notifications)

FSANZ has approved amendments to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit the bioconversion method of producing specific steviol glycosides, rebaudioside M and rebaudioside I. The use of three genetically modified enzymes as processing aids are permitted for this specific purpose. The bioconversion method of production is consistent with Codex standards. The enzymes used and their sources are very similar but not identical to those listed in the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) specifications for steviol glycosides, being the (Framework for) Steviol Glycosides.

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, Acibenzolar-S-methyl, Benzovindiflupyr, Chlorantraniliprole, Cyanamide, Cyantraniliprole, Difenoconazole, Dimethoate, Fenpropidin, Florylpicoxamid, Fludioxonil, Flumioxazin, Fluxapyroxad, Isocycloseram, Isopyrazam, Omethoate, Pyraclostrobin, Spirotetramat, Tebuconazole, Tetraniliprole, Trifloxystrobin and Trifludimoxazin in specified plant commodities.Fenpropidin, Halauxifen-methyl and Trifluralin in specified animal commodities.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released the Import risk review for dehydrated and pre-sterilised microbiological media: draft report (the review) for a 60-day consultation period.This review aims to modernise Australia’s dehydrated and pre-sterilised microbiological media import conditions to appropriately reflect the level of biosecurity risk and simplify import permit conditions. It considers the biosecurity risks associated with importing (from any country) dehydrated and pre-sterilised microbiological media. It takes into account new and relevant peer-reviewed scientific information, international standards, relevant changes in industry practices and operational practicalities.The review identified two hazards of biosecurity concern for imported dehydrated and pre-sterilised microbiological media. Risk assessments were undertaken for each hazard and measures were proposed to manage the biosecurity risks.The draft report proposes baseline risk management measures for dehydrated and pre-sterilised microbiological media and specific risk management will continue to be required for bovine spongiform encephalopathy and scrapie.

Australia released the Review of the risk associated Japanese encephalitis in horses from approved countries – Final report on 9 October 2023. All comments on the draft report for this policy review were considered in the finalisation process.The Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) will be updated to reflect the change as new health certificates are agreed with trading partners. All existing import permits remain valid. If desired, please contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to request a permit variation prior to the BICON changes.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has updated the equine piroplasmosis related import conditions for horses from approved countries. This is in response to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) updating the Terrestrial Animal Health Code chapter for equine piroplasmosis. The department will contact affected trading partners directly to update veterinary health certification. Trade may continue uninterrupted from countries approved to export horses to Australia.

On 28 August 2023 the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) released Animal Biosecurity Advice (ABA) 2023-A10 advising of the final import conditions for prawns and prawn products imported into Australia.In response to ABA 2023-A06, the department received comments from three stakeholders during the 60-day comment period. These comments were considered when finalising the import conditions for prawns and prawn products.From 30 October 2023, the department will begin implementing changes to the import conditions for prawns and prawn products for human consumption as outlined in ABA 2023-A06 and ABA 2023-A10 which are available on the department’s website: https://agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/risk-analysis/memosAustralia’s updated model health certificate for prawns and prawn meat for human consumption is attached. The wording of the model health certificate has not changed since the release of the previous SPS notification proposing these changes and requesting comment (G/SPS/N/AUS/565published on 9 June 2023).Australia’s trading partners will need to provide a revised health certificate to the department for approval. Trading partners are encouraged to implement required certification changes in a timely manner to prevent disruptions to trade.

This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align maximum residue limits (MRLs) with the: Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority MRL Standard; Codex Alimentarius Commission; and trading partner standards relating to residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in food.This Proposal also includes proposed refinements to several food subgroups and commodities listed in Schedule 22 (Foods and classes of foods), as well as correction of typographical and formatting errors, necessary to improve the integrity of Schedules 20 and 22.For further information, please contact the MRL Team at Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ): MRL.contact@foodstandards.gov.auThe agvet chemicals where increased or new MRLs are being considered for specified plant commodities are: Abamectin; Acequinocyl; Acetamiprid; Azinphos-methyl; Azoxystrobin; Benzovindiflupyr; Bicyclopyrone; Bifenazate; Bifenthrin; Bixafen; Boscalid; Chlorantraniliprole; Chlorothalonil; Clofentezine; Clothianidin; Cyantraniliprole;  Cyflumetofen; Cyfluthrin; Cyhalothrin; Cypermethrin; Cyproconazole; Cyprodinil; 2,4-D; Dichlorvos; Difenoconazole; Diphenylamine; Diquat; Ethiprole; Fenbuconazole; Fenhexamid; Fenpicoxamid; Fenpyroximate; Fluazaindolizine; Fluazifop-p-butyl; Fludioxonil; Flutianil; Fluxapyroxad; Fomesafen; Hexythiazox; Imazalil; Iprodione; Isoprothiolane; Isoxaben; Mandipropamid; Metalaxyl; Metconazole; Methidathion; Methoprene; Methoxyfenozide; Metolachlor; Novaluron; Paraquat; Pendimethalin; Phosphorous acid; Pinoxaden; Propazine; Propiconazole; Prothioconazole; Pydiflumetofen; Pyrasulfotole; Pyraziflumid; Pyroxasulfone; Quinclorac; Spinetoram; Spinosad; Spiropidion; Spirotetramat; Sulfoxaflor; Tebuconazole; Tebufenozide; Thiamethoxam; Tolfenpyrad; Trifloxystrobin and Trinexapac-ethyl.  The agvet chemicals where increased or new MRLs are being considered for specified animal commodities are: Clothianidin; Fenpicoxamid; Fenpyroximate; Mandipropamid; Pyrasulfotole; Spiropidion; Thiamethoxam and Trifloxystrobin.  The agvet chemicals where deletions or reductions in MRLs are being proposed for specified plant commodities are: Azinphos-methyl; Benalaxyl; Bendiocarb; Bensulide; Bentazone; Bioresmethrin; Bromoxynil; Buprofezin; Butafenacil; Chlorpyrifos; Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Ethoprophos; Fenarimol; Fenhexamid; Fenpyroximate; Fluazifop-p-butyl; Fluxapyroxad; Hexazinone; Imazalil; Metalaxyl; Methidathion; Metolachlor; Oryzalin; Oxamyl; Oxycarboxin; Paclobutrazol; Pebulate; Pendimethalin; Phosphorous acid; Prometryn; Propaquizafop; Propazine; Propiconazole; Propyzamide; Pydiflumetofen; Pymetrozine; Pyridate; Pyroxsulam; Quinoxyfen; Saflufenacil; Sethoxydim; Spinetoram; Spinosad; Spirotetramat; Spiroxamine; Sulfoxaflor; Tebuconazole; Triadimefon; Triadimenol; Trichlorfon; Trifloxystrobin and Trifluralin.The agvet chemicals where deletions or reductions in MRLs are being proposed for specified animal commodities are: Pydiflumetofen and Trifloxystrobin.New chemicals proposed for inclusion in schedule 20 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code are: Flutianil; Isoprothiolane; Pyraziflumid and Spiropidion.    The agvet chemicals where consequential amendments were required to remove exceptions for some commodities/correct typographical errors/make a temporary MRL a permanent MRL/include subgroup qualifier/but no changes were made to MRLs: Abamectin; Acequinocyl; Acetamiprid; Aclonifen; Altrenogest; Ametoctradin; Aminoethoxyvinylglycine; Amitrole; Azinphos-methyl; Azoxystrobin; Bicyclopyrone; Bifenthrin ; Bixafen; Boscalid; Buprofezin; Cadusafos; Captan; Carbaryl; Chlorantraniliprole; Chlorothalonil; Chlorpyrifos; Clofentezine; Clothianidin; Cyantraniliprole; Cyclaniliprole; Cyflumetofen; Cyhalothrin; Cypermethrin; Cyprodinil; Cyromazine; 2,4-D; Diazinon; Dichlobenil; Difenoconazole; Dimethomorph; Dithiocarbamates; 2,2-DPA; Ethoprophos; Etofenprox; Etoxazole; Fenbutatin oxide; Fenhexamid; Fipronil; Florylpicoxamid; Fluazifop-p-butyl; Fludioxonil; Flumioxazin; Fluopyram; Flupyradifurone; Fluroxypyr; Fluxapyroxad; Forchlorfenuron; Glufosinate and Glufosinate-ammonium; Glyphosate; Haloxyfop; Hexythiazox; Imazalil; Imazamox; Imidacloprid; Indoxacarb; Ioxynil; Iprodione; Isofetamid; Linuron; Maldison; Mandestrobin; Metalaxyl; Methiocarb; Methomyl; Methoxyfenozide; Metolachlor; Milbemectin; Myclobutanil; Napropamide; Oryzalin; Oxathiapiprolin; Oxyfluorfen; Penconazole; Pendimethalin; Penthiopyrad; Permethrin; 2-Phenylphenol; Phosphorous acid; Pirimicarb; Procymidone; Propachlor; Propargite; Propiconazole; Proquinazid; Prothioconazole; Pydiflumetofen; Pymetrozine; Pyrasulfotole; Pyridaben; Pyroxasulfone; Quinoxyfen; Sethoxydim; Simazine; Spinetoram; Spinosad; Spirotetramat; Tebuconazole; Thiamethoxam; Tiafenacil; Trichlorfon; Trifloxystrobin; Trifluralin and Trinexapac-ethyl.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has finalised a risk analysis in response to the market access request for commercially produced dragon fruit (Selenicereus spp. that were previously known as Hylocereus spp. and hybrids thereof) from the Philippines into Australia for human consumption.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 the Philippines to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.The final report recommends that the importation of commercially produced dragon fruit from the Philippines into Australia be permitted, subject to the application of the phytosanitary measures, as outlined in the final report for fruit flies, mealybugs, and thrips species of biosecurity concern to Australia.The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the department’s website on 9 December 2022 for a 75-day stakeholder consultation period (and also notified in G/SPS/N/AUS/556).The completed final report is available in English on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/risk-analysis/plant/dragon-fruit-from-Philippines

Australia has published import conditions for the import of fresh oriental melons and rockmelon for human consumption from the Republic of Korea.Fresh melons from Korea are permitted to be imported into Australia during the seasonal area freedom period: from 1 December to 31 May.Australia and Korea have agreed to the phytosanitary measure, seasonal area freedom, to manage the quarantine fruit fly, Zeugodacus depressus, to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia.

This notice builds on G/SPS/N/AUS/479 relating to seasonal measures for Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB).In response to the spread of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) throughout Europe and North America, the Australian Government has added one more country to be targeted for seasonal measures for the 2023-24 season to manage the risk of BMSB arriving in Australia.Target risk countries have increased from 38 in the 2021-22 season to 39 in the 2023-24 season. Further information on the seasonal measures, including advice on target risk countries, measures for vessels, target high risk goods, measures relating to goods, exemptions, treatment options and rates, safeguarding arrangements and Industry Advice Notices are published on http://www.agriculture.gov.au/bmsbThe new country to be affected is:- Uzbekistan.A 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 December 2019:

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has removed the following additional phytosanitary declaration for fresh citrus from Egypt:"The citrus fruit in this consignment were produced in orchards that are free from citrus canker”.

This draft report determines that the importation of commercially produced passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) to Australia from all commercial production areas of Vietnam can be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements.The draft report contains details of pests that are of biosecurity concern to Australia that are potentially associated with the importation of commercially produced passionfruit from Vietnam, the risk assessments for the identified quarantine pests, and the proposed risk management measures to reduce biosecurity risks to an acceptable level.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released the draft report for the Biosecurity import risk analysis of live sturgeon for aquaculture (the sturgeon BIRA) for comment.The sturgeon BIRA assesses the biosecurity risks associated with the import of live sturgeon (Acipenser and Huso species) from all countries for aquaculture.The draft BIRA report proposes that Acipenser and Huso species be permitted import into Australia, provided they comply with appropriate biosecurity. These measures include sourcing from disease-free stocks, pre-export and post-arrival quarantine, parasite treatment, egg disinfection and testing for disease agents.Trading partners are invited to provide comments on the draft BIRA report until 11 September 2023 (60-day comment period).The department will carefully consider all comments while preparing the provisional BIRA report.

To align with international standards and to protect public health and safety, FSANZ has drafted an amendment to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to amend the maximum levels (MLs) for diarrhetic shellfish toxins (DST)and paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) with the equivalent MLs set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) and with those set in New Zealand.MLs for marine biotoxins are necessary in order to protect public health and safety, as marine biotoxins cause serious and sometimes long-term toxicity in humans.The proposed changes are:Lower the ML for DST, expressed as okadaic acid equivalent, from 0.20 to 0.16 mg/kg in bivalve molluscs;Define PST in mg saxitoxin dihydrochloride equivalents/kg rather than mg saxitoxin equivalents/kg. The net effect of this change to a more specific reporting unit is to lower the ML for PST from 0.8 to approximately 0.6 mg/kg.All applications to change the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, must be assessed in the context of the following objectives:  the protection of public health and safety; the provision of adequate information relating to food to enable consumers to make informed choices; and the prevention of misleading or deceptive conduct. FSANZ must also have regard to the promotion of consistency between domestic an international foods standards.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released the draft review for the Risk of lumpy skin disease via fresh (chilled or frozen) bovine skeletal muscle meat from applicant countries for comment.The draft review focusses on the biosecurity risk of lumpy skin disease (LSD) virus transmission via fresh (chilled and frozen) skeletal muscle meat derived from bovines.The findings of the draft review support that beef skeletal muscle is a safe commodity with regard to LSD transmission. No specific biosecurity risk management measures above internationally accepted requirements to produce beef for human consumption were seen as necessary to address this risk.The draft review can be accessed at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/risk-analysis/animal/fresh-chilled-frozen-beef/reports.Trading partners are invited to provide comments on the draft review until 26 July 2023 (30-day comment period).The department will carefully consider all comments while preparing the final review.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has undertaken a review of the biosecurity risk associated with Japanese encephalitis in horses. The draft review has now been finalised and the department invites trading partners and stakeholders to comment on the draft review by 21 August 2023. Trade may continue for countries approved for the export of horses to Australia.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released the final report for the Review of the biosecurity risks of prawns imported from all countries for human consumption (the prawn review) and the proposed changes to Australia’s import conditions for prawns and prawn products. The final report for the prawn review is available on the department’s website: Review of Prawns and Prawn Products - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au). The department has published the final report for the prawn review after considering the recommendations from the members of the scientific advisory group on the draft report and provisional final report, as well as all stakeholder feedback and all available scientific information. The final report proposes that prawns continue to be permitted import into Australia, subject to compliance with a range of amended biosecurity measures. These measures include freezing, freedom from additional pathogenic agents for whole uncooked prawns exported to Australia, and a strengthening of requirements for cooked prawns. Australia's updated model health certificate for prawns and prawn meat for human consumption, which includes wording to reflect the proposed changes to import conditions, is available on the department's website: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/risk-analysis/memos and at https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/SPS/AUS/23_10065_00_e.pdf Trading partners may provide written comment to the department on the proposed requirements until 4 August 2023 (60-day comment period). Pending consideration of comments, the department will require that prawns and prawn products arriving in Australia from 13 October 2023 be certified by the competent authority of the exporting country to meet the amended health certification requirements.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has finalised a risk analysis in response to the market access request for commercially produced Persian lime fruit (Citrus latifolia) from Mexico into Australia for human consumption. The final report recommends a system of production practices that will reduce the risk associated with the importation of Persian lime fruit from Mexico to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.The final report recommends that the importation of commercially produced Persian lime fruit from Mexico into Australia be permitted, subject to the application of specified production practices, as outlined in the final report, for arthropods and plant pathogens of biosecurity concern to Australia.The draft report for this risk analysis was published on the department’s website on 7 June 2021 for a 60 day stakeholder consultation period (G/SPS/N/AUS/516).The completed final report is available in English on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website at:

This notice provides further information to G/SPS/N/AUS/558 by clarifying Australia’s importing country requirements for phytosanitary certificates that have been electronically stamped/signed and where they include a QR code or weblink to enable online verification of the document.Australia accepts the following formats of phytosanitary certificates:1.      Original, and certified copies, of phytosanitary certificates (paper or pdf) issued by trading partners that have been dated, stamped and signed.Phytosanitary certificates that do not have a pen-inked signature, printed signature, wet stamp or printed stamp must meet all of the below criteria:a.    A stamp or logo on the document of the exporting NPPO;b.    An electronic signature and/or a statement from the exporting authority that the phytosanitary certificate is electronically signed/approved;c.    A QR code or weblink to enable online verification of the document.2.      Electronic certificates delivered via an agreed, secure government-to-government digital exchange, known as electronic certification or ePhyto/eCert. As of May 2023, Australia currently only has such an arrangement with New Zealand for use in import clearance.Australia supports the move to electronic certification (ePhyto/eCert) and paperless trade in import clearance. Electronic certification offers assessment efficiencies, improved security and assurance of the validity of documentation when issued via government-to-government electronic exchange.Countries wishing to send ePhytos/eCerts to Australia are encouraged to contact the department via the Australian IPPC contact point (ippc.contactpoint@agriculture.gov.au) to ensure the necessary systems are in place prior to commencing paperless trade.Paper certification continues to be required until paperless trade is bilaterally negotiated between Australia and the exporting NPPO.Details are available on the department’s website:

Australia has conducted a policy review of the Australian import conditions for whole egg, egg yolk, and egg white powder. New heat treatment requirements have been proposed which are lower than existing heat treatment requirements and are closer to standard industry practices. The new conditions will manage the biosecurity risks to meet Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).There will be a 60 day period for stakeholders to comment on the review.