1.

Notifying Member: Australia

If applicable, name of local government involved:  

2.

Agency responsible: Australian Government Department of Agriculture

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): Agricultural exports from Australia

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: Agricultural Export Regulation Review  Language(s): English  Number of pages: 25

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/export-regulation-review

6.

Description of content: The Department of Agriculture has commenced a review of Australia's agricultural export regulation. 

The purpose of the review is to ensure Australia has regulation that:

-       supports agricultural exporters to quickly access and utilise market opportunities now and into the future;

-       imposes an appropriate regulatory burden;

-       facilitates cooperation in export activities between government and industry to efficiently manage risk; and

-       best facilitates Australian agricultural exports meeting importing country requirements.

The review will include stakeholder consultations and, as appropriate, propose changes and improvements to agricultural export regulation.

Trading partners are encouraged to read the discussion paper available on the department's website and are invited to provide submissions at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/export-regulation-review.

Any subsequent changes to agricultural export regulation will continue to meet Australia's international obligations under the SPS Agreement. Trading partners will be updated on the outcomes of the process and any next steps.

7.

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

8.

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

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

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

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

[X]      None

Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard? 

[ ] Yes   [ ] No

If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the international standard:  

9.

Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:    

10.

Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy): Not applicable. Any changes will be part of a subsequent process. The review will consider client and stakeholder comments and, where relevant, identify improvements to agricultural export regulation. Recommendations for any improvements will be put to the Australian Government for consideration and agreement.

Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy): Not applicable

11.

Proposed date of entry into force: [ ] Six months from date of publication, and/or (dd/mm/yy): Not applicable. Any changes will be part of a subsequent process. The review will consider client and stakeholder comments and, where relevant, identify improvements to agricultural export regulation. Recommendations for any improvements will be put to the Australian Government for consideration and agreement.

[X]    Trade facilitating measure  The review will include consultation with stakeholder groups and as appropriate, propose changes and improvements to regulatory aspects of agricultural export regulation.

12.

Final date for comments: [X] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the notification and/or (dd/mm/yy): 13 September 2015

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

The Australian SPS Notification Point

GPO Box 858

Canberra ACT 2601

Australia

Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678

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

Submissions or specific comments on the agricultural export regulation review may be sent to:

Agriculture Export Regulation Review

Department of Agriculture

GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601

E-mail: biosecurityconsultation@agriculture.gov.au

13.

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

The Australian SPS Notification Point

GPO Box 858

Canberra ACT 2601

Australia

Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678

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

Website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/export-regulation-review