G/SPS/N/AUS/587  
24 April 2024  
(24-3367) 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:  Australian Government 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):  Zoo hippopotamuses and their semen from approved countries  
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:  Importation of zoo hippopotamuses and their semen 
from approved countries - draft report . Language(s):  English . Number of pages:  157 
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity -trade/policy/risk -analysis/animal/  
6. Description of content:  The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has 
released a draft review entitled Importation of zoo hippopotamuses and their semen from 
approved countries – draft report  for a 60 day consultation period.  
The review takes into account pee r-reviewed scientific information, advice from scientific 
experts, and relevant operational practicalities. The review identifies and assesses 
hazards of biosecurity concern associated with the importation of zoo hippopotamuses 
and their semen. A review of  disease agents is included.  
The department intends to release a final review on the import conditions for zoo 
hippopotamuses following consideration of submissions received in response to the draft 
report.  
7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety, [X]  animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[X] 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 text) :  
[X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) : Terrestrial Animal Health Code, 
Chapters 2.1, 5.3, and relevant disease spec ific chapters.  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  G/SPS/N/AUS/587  
 
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  [X] 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) : To be advised.  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 24 April 2024  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : To be advised.  
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [X]  Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 23 June 2024  
Agency or author ity 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