Agricultural Export Legislation – Release of the Exposure Draft Export Control Rules 2020 – tranche one.

The Australian Government is making improvements to its agricultural export legislation. A new legislative framework for Australia's agricultural exports will commence on 28 March 2021, comprising the Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control Rules 2020 (the Rules).

The Rules will set out the operational details for regulating the exports of commodities. Once finalised, the Rules will replace the current legislation.

The Australian Government has released Exposure Drafts of the Export Control Rules 2020 (the draft Rules) for 7 commodities for consultation. The remaining draft Rules will be released for consultation later this year.
Tranche one includes the draft rules:

Exposure Draft Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2020
Exposure Draft Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2020
Exposure Draft Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) Rules 2020
Exposure Draft Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2020
Exposure Draft Export Control (Organic Goods) Rules 2020
Exposure Draft Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Rules 2020
Exposure Draft Export Control (Poultry Meat and Poultry Meat Products) Rules 2020
>
The draft Rules and supporting information can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Water  and the Environment's website - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/market-access-trade/improving-export-legislation.

The focus for consultation with stakeholders, including trading partners, is to ensure the improved legislative framework is fit-for-purpose – supporting growth and innovation, while maintaining the standards our trading partners expect.

There is no change to Australia's commitment to meet the importing requirements of our trading partners, and the improved legislation will continue to meet Australia's international obligations – including those under the SPS agreement.