G/SPS/N/AUS/577  
17 October 2023  
(23-6982) 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: draft report . Language(s):  English . Number of pages:  93 
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: draft report (the review) for a 60 -day consultation period.  
This review aims to modernise Australia's dehydrated and pre -sterilised microbiological 
media import conditions to appropriately reflect the level of biosecurity risk and si mplify 
import permit conditions. It considers the biosecurity risks associated with importing (from 
any country) dehydrated and pre -sterilised microbiological media. It takes 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 concern for imported dehydrated and pre -
sterilised microbiological media. Risk assessments were undertaken for each hazard a nd 
measures were proposed to manage the biosecurity risks.  
The draft report proposes baseline risk management measures for dehydrated and pre -
sterilised microbiological media and specific risk management will continue to be required 
for bovine spongiform e ncephalopathy 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.   G/SPS/N/AUS/577  
 
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  8. Is there a relevant internation al 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) : Mid 2024.  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 17 October 2023  
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 date for comments: [X]  Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 16 De cember 2023  
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  
Email: 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  
Email: sps.contact@aff.gov.au  
Website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au