G/SPS/N/AUS/433/Add.1  
 
11 December 2017  
(17-6780) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication, received on 8 December 2017, is being circulated at the request of 
the Delegation of Australia . 
 
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Agricultural Export  Legislation – Introduction of Export Control Bill 2017 into Parliament  
The Australian Government introduced the Export Control Bill 2017 (the Bill) into the Australian 
Parliament for consideration on 7 December 2017. This follows the release of an exposu re draft of 
the proposed changes for comment by trading partners in August 2017.  
The Bill consolidates export -related provisions within the Export Control Act 1982 and Australian 
Meat and Live -stock Industry Act 1997 into a single Export Control Bill. Commodity -specific 
requirements will then be reflected in Export Control Rules, which will replace the current Export 
Control Orders without changing their intent. The Export Control Rules (the rules) are being 
drafted and trading partners will be provided  with an opportunity to comment on the rules in 2018.  
There is no change to Australia's commitment to meet the importing requirements of our trading 
partners, and the improved legislation will continue to meet Australia's international obligations – 
includ ing those under the SPS agreement.  
Improved export legislation provides the framework for complying with exporting requirements, 
creating a system that is more flexible and efficient to administer. This will ensure the continued 
integrity of Australia's ex port system and promote consistent and efficient administration across 
Australia's export chains.  
Business practices and regulatory requirements will remain consistent between the current and 
future legislation. The continuation of current business practic es means costs for regulatory 
services will remain the same.  
Further information on the Bill is available from the Australian Department of Agriculture and 
Water Resources website at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/market -access -trade/export -
regulation -review  
This addendum concerns a:  
[ ] Modification of final date for comments  
[ ] Notification of adoption, publication or entry into force of regulation  
[ ] Modification of content and/or scope of previously notified draft regulation  
[ ] Withdrawal of proposed regulation  
[X] Change in proposed date of adoption, publication or date of entry into force  
[ ] Other:  G/SPS/N/AUS/433/Add.1  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Comment period: (If the addendum extends the scope of the previously notified 
measure in terms of products and/or potentially affected Members, a new deadline for 
receipt of comments should be provided, normally of at least 60 calendar days. Under 
other circumstances, such as extension of origina lly 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 comme nts: [  ] 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.go v.au  
Text(s) available from: [  ] 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  
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