G/SPS/N/AUS/400  
 
30 September 2016  
(16- 5223) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMER GENCY MEASURES  
1. Notifying Member : AUSTRALIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:    
2. Agency responsible:  Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water 
Resources  
3. Products cover ed (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Seeds for sowing of Citrullus lanatus  (watermelon) and 
Cucumis melo  (melon); nursery stock of Citrul lus lanatus  (watermelon), Cucumis melo  
(melon), Cucumis sativus  (cucumber) and Lagenaria siceraria  (bottle gourd)  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners    
[ ] Specific regions or coun tries:   
5. Title of the notified document : Emergency measures for cucurbit seeds against Melon 
necrotic spot virus (MNSV) . Language (s): English . Number of pages:  3 
http:// members.wto.org/crnattachments/2016/SPS/AUS/16_4101_00_e.pdf  
6. Description of content: Emergency phytosanitary measures for the importation of 
cucurbit seeds from all countries are being introduced to mitigate the biosecurity risk 
posed by Melon necroti c spot virus (MNSV) which is seed transmitted in Citrullus lanatus  
and Cucumis melo . 
7. Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [ ] animal health, [X] plant protection,  
[X] protect humans fro m animal/plant pest or disease, [X]  protect territory 
from oth er damage from pest s.   
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: Seed-borne 
viruses of cucurbit crops are increasing their geographic range and causing significant 
economic consequences globally. Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) ha s recently been 
detected in Australia, has a limited distribution and is under official control in Australia.  
MNSV is reported to be seed -borne in Citrullus lanatus  and Cucumis melo ; however, 
Australia's existing policy does not require specific risk miti gation measures against 
MNSV for the importation of these hosts seeds. Therefore, emergency measures against 
MNSV are required for the seeds for sowing of Citrullus lanatus  and Cucumis melo  to 
prevent the further introductions of this virus.  
In addition t o the emergency measures, Australia is currently undertaking a draft review 
of policy for the importation of cucurbit seeds from all countries for stakeholder 
consultation. All trading partners will be notified of the release of the draft review of 
policy for cucurbitaceous seeds for sowing by an SPS notification.  
Please see the attached PDF for details of the Emergency Measures for MNSV.  G/SPS/N/AUS/400  
 
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  9. 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 ):   
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)  (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :   
[X] Internation al Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) : 
IPPC Article 7 and IPSM 1  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the re levant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [ ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard :   
10. Other r elevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:      
11. Date of entry into force  (dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
19 October 2016  
[ ] Trade facilit ating  measure    
12. 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 Contact Point  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678  
E-mail: sps.contact@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:  
The Australian SPS Contact Point  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678  
E-mail: sps.conta ct@agriculture.gov.au