G/SPS/N/AUS/426  
 
16 June 2017  
(17-3223) Page: 1/2 
Commi ttee 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:  Department of Agriculture and Water Resources  
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): Peanut seeds for sowing, raw or unprocessed peanuts 
and b lanched peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)  
4. Regions or countries likely  to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries: Argentina; Brazil; Bolivia, Plurinational State of  
5. Title of the notified document : Emergency measures to address the risk of 
introduct ion of peanut smut ( Thecaphora frezii ) in peanuts from countries where peanut 
smut is recorded . Language (s): English . Number of pages:  2 
6. Description of content: Emergency measures to address the risk of introduction of 
peanut smut ( Thecaphora frezii ) in peanuts from countries where peanut smut is 
recorded (Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia).  
7. Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [ ] animal health, [X] plant protection,  
[ ] protect humans fro m animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pest s.  
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:  
Recent publication (Rago et al. 2017) highlighted the increased risk of peanut smut 
(Thecaphora frezii ) associated with peanuts produced in Argentina. Australia co nsiders 
there is insufficient information to determine that the risk of peanut smut is being 
managed to achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection under current import 
requirements. In particular, the risk associated with raw or unprocessed peanut s 
imported into non -metropolitan processing facilities that are located in peanut 
production areas in Australia. Therefore, pending the outcomes of Australia's review of 
the pest risk and the risk management measures, Australia has implemented the 
followin g emergency measures to address this potential risk:  
 Raw or unprocessed peanuts including blanched peanuts produced in countries 
where peanut smut is recorded must be inspected or tested by the National Plant 
Protection Organisation (NPPO) according to app ropriate procedures and be 
considered free from peanut smut and other biosecurity pests. The below 
additional dec laration must be included on a p hytosanitary certificate:  
"The plant product(s) were inspected and found free from peanut smut 
(Thecaphora frez ii)." G/SPS/N/AUS/426  
 
- 2 - 
 
   Temporary suspension of the importation of raw and unprocessed peanuts from 
Argentina to be processed in a facility located in a peanut growing area in 
Australia, pending a review of the pest risk and the establishment of 
management measures that wil l reduce the risk of peanut smut to achieve 
Australia's appropriate level of protection. The import conditions for peanut seed 
for sowing will be amended to include peanut smut as a target pest while plants 
are being grown for disease testing/screening in post entry quarantine stations.  
(Reference:  Alejandro MR, Cazon LI, Paredes JA, Molina JPE, Conforto EC, Bisonard EM 
and Oddino C. 2017. Peanut smut: from an emerging disease to an actual threat to 
Argentine peanut production. Plant Disease 101: 400 -408.) 
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) : ISPM 1  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the re levant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [ ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how an d 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): Two 
weeks after SPS notification publication d ate. 
[ ] Trade facilit ating  measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to handle comments : [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [ ] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
13. Text(s)  available from:  [X] National Notification Authority, [  ] 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  
Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678  
E-mail: sps.con tact@agriculture.gov.au