G/SPS/N/AUS/586  
12 April 2024  
(24-3077) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member:  AUSTRALIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry  
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):  Dehydrated and pre -sterilised microbiological media  
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:  Import risk review for dehydrated and pre -sterilised 
microbiological media: Final report . Language(s):  English . Number of pages:  91 
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity -trade/policy/risk -analysis/animal/dehydrated -
and-pre-sterilis ed-microbiological -media  
6. Description of content:  The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries 
and Forestry has released the Import risk review for dehydrated and pre -sterilised 
microbiological media: final report (the review).  
This review aimed to modernise Australia's dehydrated and pr e-sterilised microbiological 
media import conditions to appropriately reflect the level of biosecurity risk and simplify 
import permit conditions. It considered the biosecurity risks associated with importing 
(from any country) dehydrated and pre -sterilise d microbiological media. It has taken 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 conce rn for imported dehydrated and 
pre-sterilised microbiological media. Risk assessments were undertaken for each hazard 
and measures have been developed to manage the biosecurity risks.  
The review includes 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.  
7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety, [X]  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:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related te xt):  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  G/SPS/N/AUS/586  
 
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  [ ] 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) : Mid 2024  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 11 April 2024  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of publication , and/or  
(dd/mm/yy) : Late 2024  
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final d ate for comments: [  ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable  
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:   
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
Tel: +(61) 2 6272 3933  
E-mail: sps.contact@aff.gov. au 
Website: http://www.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:   
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
Tel: +(61) 2 6272 3933  
E-mail: sps.contact@aff.gov.au  
Website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au