G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.3  
 
20 November 2020  
(20-8397) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES  
Addendum  
The following communication, received on 19 November 2020, is being circulated at the request of 
the Delegation of Australia . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Notification of emergency measures for Khapra beetle  
On 4 August 2020, Australia issued an SPS notification (G/SPS/N/AUS/502) informing trading 
partners of its intention to implement emergency measures to plant products that are hosts of khapra 
beetle ( Trogoderma granarium ) to safeguard Australia against the entry, establishment and spread 
of this pest.  
In response to the recent and increasing hitchhiker risk of  khapra beetle in shipping containers, we 
have determined that  changes to the management of containers  is now an immedi ate priority  for 
addressing khapra beetle  risk. Accordingly, we plan to implement new measures for containers 
(Phase  6) ahead of proposed  changes  for plant products and seeds for sowing (Phases 3 -5). 
A revised schedule of the implementation of the phases i s below.  
Phase 1:  Ban on high -risk plant products within unaccompanied personal effects and low value 
freight  - Commenced 3 September 2020 (See G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.1)  
Phase 2: Ban on high -risk plant products within accompanied  baggage or via international travellers 
or mail articles  - Commenced 15 October. (See G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.2)  
Phase 3: Revised phytosanitary certification and new offshore treatment requirements for high -risk 
plant products  arriving via commercial pathways  - Expected to c ommence in mid -late 2021  
Phase 4: Revised phytosanitary certification and new offshore treatment requirements for other risk 
plant products  arriving via all import pathways - Expected to commence in mid -late 2021  
Phase 5: Introduction of phytosanitary cert ification for all seeds for sowing  - Expected to commence 
in mid -late 2021  
Phase 6: Revised measures for shipping containers - Expected to commence in early 2021  
Phase 6: Revised measures for shipping containers  
We are currently working through what the re vised measures for shipping containers will involve. A 
range of measures are being considered, including possible treatment options. We will provide further 
information to trading partners on the proposed measures for containers over the coming months. As 
contamination of shipping containers is a global problem, we would welcome the opportunity to 
partner with other countries to identify a global solution.  
Further information  
Additional information on the emergency measures can be found on the department's website: 
agriculture.gov.au/pests -diseases -weeds/plant/khapra -beetle/urgent -actions . G/SPS/N/AUS/502/Add.3  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Addendums to this SPS notification will be published to notify the measures and implementation dates 
for subsequent phases. Complete import conditions and details regardin g the measures will be 
outlined in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) prior to the implementation date.  
This addendum concerns a:  
[ ] Modification of final date for comments  
[ ] Modification of content and/or sco pe of previously notified regulation  
[ ] Withdrawal of  regulation  
[ ] Change in period of application of measure  
[X] Other: Additional information on the implementation of Phase 6 of emergency 
measures.  
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 Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au   
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 Australi an SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au   
 
__________