G/SPS/N/AUS/242/Add.2  
 
6 August 2013  
(13-4196)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION 
Addendum 
The following communication, received on 2 August 2013, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Australia. 
 
_______________ 
 
 Final Policy Review - Import Risk Analysis Report for Horses from Approved Countries 
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has 
completed a policy review of the Import risk analysis report for horses from approved countries: 
final policy review (horse IRA). Once the necessary arrangements for implementation have been completed, imports of horses, donkeys and mules from approved countries will be permitted under 
the revised conditions. 
Importation of horses, donkeys and mules will be subject to the Quarantine Act 1908, and the 
application of sanitary measures as specified in the Import risk analysis report for horses from 
approved countries: final policy review. A copy of the final policy review is available at 
http://www.daff.gov.au/ba/reviews/ final-animal/review_of_hors e_ira/ba2013-17- horseira-final . 
Once the necessary arrangements for implementati on have been completed, the policy will be 
taken into account by decision makers when considering import permit applications for horses, 
donkeys and mules in accordance with the Quarantine Act 1908 and Quarantine Proclamation 1998 
as amended. 
In September 2007, the Australian Government commissioned an inquiry into the circumstances 
that contributed to the 2007 outbreak of equi ne influenza and the need for strengthened 
biosecurity procedures for quarantine management of imported horses. On 12 June 2008, the Australian Government announced that it had accepted all 38 recommendations of the inquiry. The 
horse IRA, completed in response to recommendation 34, assessed the risks of introduction and 
spread of potential disease agents associated wi th the importation of horses, donkeys and mules 
from approved countries and recommended appropriate risk management measures. This policy review was prepared in response to recommendation 35 of the inquiry, which recommended 
periodic review of the horse IRA, taking into account relevant developments in scientific knowledge 
including testing methods, vaccines, vaccination procedures and biosecurity controls for horses imported into Australia.  
A draft policy review was issued on 22 January 2013 for a 60-day consultation period (notified in 
G/SPS/N/AUS/242/Add.1), which closed on 25 March 2013. DAFF considered all stakeholder comments received when finalising the policy review. 
This policy review also takes into account submissions received from stakeholders since the 
announcement of the review on 31 October 2011 (Biosecurity Australia Advice 2011/18), new and relevant peer-reviewed scientific information, international standards developed by the World Organisation for Animal Health, advice from international scientific experts, and relevant changes 
in industry practices and operational practicalities. It includes a review of the hazard list and 
updated assessment and management of the biosecurity risks associated with the importation of horses, donkeys and mules from approved countries. G/SPS/N/AUS/242/Add.2 
 
- 2 - 
 
  Until notified otherwise, the current import policy continues to apply for the importation of horses, 
donkeys and mules from approved countries. 
This addendum concerns a: 
[ ] Modification of final date for comments 
[X] Notification of adoption, publication or entry into force of regulation 
[X] Modification of content and/or scope of  previously notified draft regulation 
[ ] Withdrawal of proposed regulation 
[ ] Change in proposed date of adoption, publication or date of entry into force 
[ ] Other:   
Comment period: (If the addendum extends the scope of the previously notified 
measure in terms of products and/or potent ially affected Members, a new deadline for 
receipt of comments should be provided, norm ally of at least 60 calendar days. Under 
other circumstances, such as extension of or iginally announced final date for comments, 
the comment period provided in the addendum may vary.)  
[ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the addendum to the notification and/or 
(dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable 
Agency or authority designated to handle co mments: [ ] National Notification Authority, 
[X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of 
other body: 
   Text available from: [ ] National Notificati on Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. 
Address, fax number and e-mail addre ss (if available) of other body: 
    
__________