1.

Notifying Member: Australia

If applicable, name of local government involved:  

2.

Agency responsible: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)

3.

Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable): Foods in general

4.

Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:

[X]    All trading partners  

[ ]      Specific regions or countries:  

5.

Title of the notified document: Proposal to Amend Standard 1.4.2 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (16 June 2015 - Proposed amendment (Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Instrument No. 4 (MRL Standard) Amendment Instrument 2015 (No. 5)))  Language(s): English  Number of pages: 4

6.

Description of content: This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align certain 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.

7.

Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection, [ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from other damage from pests.  

8.

Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:

[X]    Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex standard or related text)

-      CAC/MRL 1 Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Pesticides 2009

-      CAC/MRL 2 Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary Drugs in Food 2009

-      CAC/MRL 3 Extraneous Maximum Residue Limits (EMRLs) 2001 and subsequent variations to relevant standards as adopted or revoked by the Commission

[ ]      World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic Animal Health Code, chapter number)  

[ ]      International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)  

[ ]      None

Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard? 

[ ] Yes   [X] No

If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the international standard: Certain proposed limits may differ from Codex limits.

The scientific methodology used by Australia to establish MRLs is consistent with international best practice. Countries set MRLs according to the good agricultural practice (GAP) or good veterinary practice (GVP) applicable to their region. Agricultural and veterinary chemical use patterns differ between different production regions and countries as pests, diseases and environmental factors vary. This means that Australian MRLs for agricultural and veterinary chemicals in food may differ from Codex standards.

9.

Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available: Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/F2008B00619 (available in English)

10.

Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy): Adoption anticipated August 2015.

Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy): Publication anticipated August 2015.

11.

Proposed date of entry into force: [ ] Six months from date of publication, and/or (dd/mm/yy): Entry into force anticipated August 2015.

[X]    Trade facilitating measure  The proposal will establish or increase Australian MRLs for certain commodity/chemical combinations which should assist in facilitation of trade for certain foods.

12.

Final date for comments: [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the notification and/or (dd/mm/yy): 20 August 2015

Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X] National Notification Authority, [ ] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e?mail address (if available) of other body:

Food Standards Australia New Zealand

PO Box 7186

Canberra BC  ACT  2610

Australia

Fax: +(61 2) 6271 2278

E-mail: standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au

13.

Text(s) available from: [ ] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e?mail address (if available) of other body:

Documents are available from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website:

http://apvma.gov.au/sites/default/files/gazette/food-standards/gazette-12062015-pages-28-31.pdf

Copies are also available from:

The Australian SPS Notification Point

GPO Box 858

Canberra  ACT  2601

Australia

Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678

E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au