WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/AG/N/AUS/18
6 March 1998
(98-0902)
Committee on Agriculture Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
The attached notifications concerning new or modified domestic support measures exempt
from reduction (Table DS:2) were received from the delegation of Australia on 23 February 1998.
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In accordance with notification requirements, further to Australia's domestic support
notification for 1996 (G/AG/N/AUS /14 dated 31 October 1997), following are notifications
concerning new or modified domestic support m easures exempt from reduction, including those
which are part of the new integrated package of assistance to farmers and rural communities entitled
"Agriculture  - Advancing Australia ".G/AG/N/AUS/18
Page 2
Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Climate Research and Development
(2) Domestic legislation: Nil
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:
The aim of the measure is to improve climate forecasting systems resulting from agricultural
focused climate research that will help farmer s plan for and manage climatic fluctuations.
This program is part of the new integrated package of assistance to farmers and rural
communities entitled Agriculture – Advancing Australia .
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 2 (a) –
Research of  - Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure:  A$ 3.5 million
(5) Date of entry into effect:  1 July 1998
(6) Period of application: Three years
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):  
This measure is not product specific.G/AG/N/AUS/18
Page 3
Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Coffs Harbour - Tropical Fruit Producer assistance
(2) Domestic legislation: Nil
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:  
Grant to eligible tropical fruit producers in  the Coffs Harbour region to reconstruct access
roads damaged as a result of storm/flood event of 23 November 1996 to allow access to
tropical fruit plantations.
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 8 –
Payments for relief from natural disasters – of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure:  A$ 100,000
(5) Date of entry into effect:  23 January 1997
(6) Period of application: 36 days (completed 28 February 1997)
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):
Tropical Fruit Producers in the Coffs Harbour area.G/AG/N/AUS/18
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Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
(2) Domestic legislation: Farm Household Support Amendment Bill 1997
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:
Income support payment to farm families in areas deemed to be undergoing exceptional
circumstances.
This program is part of the new integrated package of assistance to farmers and rural
communities entitled Agriculture - Advancing Australia .
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 8  -
Payments for relief from natural disasters - of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure: N/A
(5) Date of entry into effect:  1 December 1997
(6) Period of application: Ongoing
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):  
Measure is not product specific.G/AG/N/AUS/18
Page 5
Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Farm Business Improvement Program (FarmBis)
(2) Domestic legislation: Nil
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:
The aim of the program is to provide a framework for promoting a positive approach to
change across the farm sector and will assist primary producers to build on their existing
skills and improve the performance of the farm businesses in terms of its profitability andsustainability.  Programs and training activities supported will include, for example, skills
development, farm business and financial planning and advice, farm performance
benchmarking, quality assurance, risk management, rural leadership development, marketing
and natural resource management.
This program is part of the new integrated package of assistance to farmers and rural
communities entitled Agriculture - Advancing Australia .
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 2  (c) -
Training services - of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure: A$ 50 million
(5) Date of entry into effect: 1 July 1998
(6) Period of application: From 1 July 1998 until 30 June 2001
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):
This measure is not product specific.G/AG/N/AUS/18
Page 6
Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Farm Family Restart Scheme
(2) Domestic legislation: Farm Household Support Amendment Bill 1997
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:
The aim of the measure is to provide improved welfare support to the farm sector as well as
providing adjustment assistance to farmers who wish to leave the industry.  The measure will
provide a welfare safety net for low income farmers experiencing financial hardship who
cannot borrow further against their assets and/or who are not ready to make a decision toplace their farm on the market and access welfare support under the Social Security hardship
provisions.  The measure will also operate as a decision support system for farmers
considering exiting the industry by giving them access to professional advice on the future
viability of their business and on employment opportunities if they choose to exit the industry.
It will also offer them incentives to leave farming before their assets are severely depleted.
This program is part of the new integrated package of assistance to farmers and rural
communities entitled Agriculture - Advancing Australia .
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 9 -
Structural adjustment assistance provided through producer retirement programs - of Annex 2
of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure: A$ 121.4 million
(5) Date of entry into effect: 1 December 1997
(6) Period of application: 1 December 1997 until 30 November 2000
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):
This measure is not product specific.G/AG/N/AUS/18
Page 7
Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Farm Household Support Scheme Debt Write-off
(2) Domestic legislation: Farm Household Support Amendment Bill 1997
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:
The aim of the measure is to eliminate any debts owed by primary producers under the former
Farm Household Support Scheme.  Debts owed  by low income primary producers who do not
have the capacity to repay their loans will be written off.
This program is part of the new integrated package of assistance to farmers and rural
communities entitled Agriculture - Advancing Australia .
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 5 - Direct
payments to producers - of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure: A$ 5.1 million
(5) Date of entry into effect: Upon Royal Assent of legislative amendments
(6) Period of application: N/A
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):
This measure is not product specific.G/AG/N/AUS/18
Page 8
Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Farm Management Deposits Scheme
(2) Domestic legislation: Farm Management Deposits Bill
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:   
The measure aims to provide help to primary producers to build on their business
management knowledge and experience and to provide improved financial tools which
enhance primary producers’ capacity to manage the significant climatic and price risks
inherent in farming as well as to promote greater self reliance.
This program is part of the new integrated package of assistance to farmers and rural
communities entitled Agriculture – Advancing Australia .
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 7 –
Government financial participation in income insurance and income safety-net programs – of
Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure:  A$ 60 million over 3 years
(5) Date of entry into effect:  From Royal Assent (during 1998)
(6) Period of application: Three years
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):
This measure is not product specific.G/AG/N/AUS/18
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Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: National Feral Animal Control Program
(2) Domestic legislation: Natural Heritage Trust Act 1997
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:   
To reduce the damage caused to agriculture and the environment by feral animals by:
improving the effectiveness of techniques and strategies used in controlling feral animals;
publishing best practice management guidelines for the major feral animal species;
encouraging the adoption of best practice management strategies and techniques; andmonitoring RCD and its impacts to encourage its effective use in integrated rabbit control
programs.
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 2  (b) - Pest
and disease control - of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure: 1996/97:  A$ 1.534 million
1997/98:  A$ 1.961 million
Total for 5-year program (1996/97-2000/01): A$ 6.45 million
(5) Date of entry into effect:  1 July 1996
(6) Period of application: 1996/97 - 2000/01
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):
The benefit of the NFACP covers all agricultural products.G/AG/N/AUS/18
Page 10
Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Infrastructure Service of the Northern Territory
(2) Domestic legislation: Nil
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:
Aims to co-ordinate the provision of infrastructure essential for the development of Northern
Territory primary industries and to attract new investments to the NT.  This covers
infrastructure development requirement for th e Ord Irrigation project, the Katherin/Douglas
and Strurt Plateau region development.
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 2  (g) –
Infrastructural services – of Annex 2 of the  Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure:  A$ 0.48 million
(5) Date of entry into effect:  1996-1997
(6) Period of application: Ongoing
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):  
Irrigated cropping (e.g. maize, peanuts, cotton, hay, pasture seeds) and horticultural 
products grown in the Northern Territory of Australia.G/AG/N/AUS/18
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Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Marketing and Promotion for the Northern Territory of
Australia
(2) Domestic legislation: Nil
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:
Aims to identify and promote market opportunities for Northern Territory products and
enhance the ability of Northern Territory producers to effectively exploit those opportunities.
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 2  (f) -
Marketing and promotion services  - of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure: A$ 0.3 million
(5) Date of entry into effect:  1996/1997
(6) Period of application: ongoing
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):
Livestock products, horticultural products and fishery products in the Northern Territory of
Australia.G/AG/N/AUS/18
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Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Papaya Fruit Fly ( Bactrocera Papayae : PFF) Eradication
Program
(2) Domestic legislation:   Nil
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:
The objective of the Australian Commonwea lth Government's involvement in the PFF
eradication program is assist the State Governments of Austra lia to eradicate PFF from far
north Queensland and for related activities to monitor and control the movement of PFF.
The eradication strategy involves PFF male anni hilation in pheromone/insecticide traps and
PFF female suppression using a protein spray baiting program.  At present there are
approximately 4,500 traps set across Australia as part of the National PFF Trapping Program,plus approximately 1,400 traps set within the Pest Quarantine Area in North Queensland.
It has been proposed that Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) be used in conjunction with the
insecticide based program.  Planning for the SIT facility is in progress.
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 2  (b) - Pest
and disease control - of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure:
It is anticipated that 1996/97 total expenditure by governments and industry in Australia on
the PFF eradication program totalled A$ 12.5 million, with the Commonwealth Government
share totalling A$ 6.26 million.
The council of Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory agricultural and resource
ministers have endorsed the indicative budget of A$ 13.858 million for 1997/98, with the
Commonwealth Government share totalling A$ 6.929 million.  This funding is for SIT
planning and to ensure the continuation of the male annihilation and protein baiting program.
(5) Date of entry into effect:
Funding commenced in early 1996 - first detection of PFF on the Australian mainland
(Cairns, Queensland) was in October 1995.
(6) Period of application:
Although it is anticipated this program will run for a total of five years, this is dependent on
progress with eradicating PFF from far north Queensland.G/AG/N/AUS/18
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(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):  
PFF is a very serious threat to agricultural production across extensive areas of Australia.
Virtually all fruit (fruits contain seeds) can be attacked by PFF and are considered hosts for
carrying PFF.  The list includes:
- tomatoes, bananas, pawpaws, mango, citrus fruits, grapes, berry fruit,
kiwifruit, capsicum, apples, pears, stone fruit, guavas, chilli and all members
of the cucurbit family such as zucchini, cucumbers, melons and all pumpkin
varieties except butternut
Produce not affected by PFF includes:
- all root vegetables such as potato, sweet potato, carrots, ginger and radish
  - leafy vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower and herbs
  - butternut pumpkins  - a few fruits such as pineapple, choko, peas, beans and sweet corn
 - macadamia nuts, coconuts
  - processed fruit - sliced, diced, dried, frozen, cooked or preserved (jams and
pickles).G/AG/N/AUS/18
Page 14
Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Rural Adjustment Scheme Transitional Arrangements
(2) Domestic legislation: Nil
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:  
This is a modification of existing commitments under the Rural Adjustment Scheme,
including eligible applications for interest rate subsidies received by the cut-off date of 30
September 1997.  Re-establishment grant applications will continue to be accepted until the
new Farm Family Restart Scheme (notified separately) commenced on 1 December 1997.Note this modified program will cease to exist on full implementation of the Agriculture -
Advancing Australia package.
This program is part of the new integrated package of assistance to farmers and rural 
communities entitled Agriculture - Advancing Australia .
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraphs 9 and 11  -
Structural adjustment assistance through producer retirement programs and through
investment aids - of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure: A$ 115.6 million
(5) Date of entry into effect:  1 November 1997
(6) Period of application: 1 November 1997 until 30 November 1999
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):
This measure is not product specific.G/AG/N/AUS/18
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Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Industry Resource Protection (for the State of Western 
Australia)
(2) Domestic legislation: Stock Diseases (Regulations) Act, 1968
Agricultural Protection Board Act, 1950
Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act, 1976
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:
Inspection services for all agricultural industries in Western Australia.
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 2 (e) -
Inspection services - of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure: A$ 8.53 million
(5) Date of entry into effect:  1 July 1996
(6) Period of application:   1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):
This measure is not product specific.G/AG/N/AUS/18
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Table DS:2
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: Australia
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:
New or modified domestic support me asures exempt from reduction
(1) Full title of measure: Rural Adjustment Scheme - Sustainable Rural Development 
(Rural Leadership Program)
(2) Domestic legislation: Nil
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:
This measure is a training support program run by the State of Western Australia which aims
to teach sustainable rural development.
The program is exempt from the reduction commitment consistent with paragraph 2  (c) -
Training services - of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
(4) Cost of measure: A$ 2.34 million
(5) Date of entry into effect:  1 July 1996
(6) Period of application: ongoing
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s) ):
The program is not product specific, although due to the structure of agricultural industries in
Western Australia wheat, lupins, wool, sheepmeat and horticultural products principally
benefit from this program.
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