G/AG/N/AUS/116  
 
16 November 2018  
(18-7206) Page: 1/8 
Committee on Agriculture  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION  
The following submission, dated 1 November 2018, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Australia . The notification concerns new or modified domestic support measures 
exempt from reduction ( Table DS:2 ). 
 
_______________  
 
 
  G/AG/N/AUS/116  
 
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  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 18:3 OF THE A GREEMENT:  
NEW OR MODIFIED DOME STIC SUPPORT MEASURE S EXEMPT FROM REDUCT ION  
___________________________________________________________________________  
 
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Established pest animals and weeds management  
 
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
Schedule 1AB of the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Regulations 1997 (Cth)  
 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
This measure is  exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(b) 
regarding pest and disease control.  
 
The management of established pest animals and weeds measure is supported by the Australian 
Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resou rces. The aim of the measure is to improve 
the management of established pest animals and weeds to reduce their incidence, distribution and 
impact on agricultural competitiveness and subsequently improve Australia’s environment and 
natural resource base (l and, water and vegetation). Funding is supporting the development and 
implementation of new or improved control tools or technologies, building the skills and capacity of 
landholders, the community and industry and assisting in national coordination and co llaboration to 
manage established pest animals and weeds, as well as collecting and disseminating information to 
build awareness amongst landholders and the community of the benefits of pest animals and weeds 
management and costs of inaction.  
 
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
2015-2017 expenditure AUD 13.9 million. Overall budgeted cost AUD 50 million.  
 
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
4 July 2015  
 
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
4 July 2015 - to 30 June 2019  
 
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)) : 
No specific product  
 
  G/AG/N/AUS/116  
 
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  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 18:3 OF THE A GREEMENT:  
NEW OR MODIFIED DOME STIC SUPPORT MEASURE S EXEMPT FROM REDUCT ION  
__________________________________________________________________________ _ 
 
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Plant Biosecurity Programs  
 
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
Nil  
 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(b) 
regarding pest and disease control.  
 
This represents various programs relating to pest and disease control managed by the Australian 
Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources including:  
 
• National Surveillance Workshop  
• Implementing the Natio nal Plant Biosecurity Diagnostics Strategy  
• eLearning for Registered Crop Monitors for nectarines  
• National plant health surveillance program  
• National exotic fruit fly surveillance program  
• National grower -led plant health surveillance system  
• Grant to improve  biosecurity capabilities for demonstrating pest area freedom  
• Grant to investigate the use of smart traps in fruit fly surveillance  
• National Bee Pest Surveillance Program Enhancements  
• National diagnostic protocols and standards development  
• Evaluation of bi ological collections to support trade, biosecurity and market access  
• Upgrade of the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnosticians Network  
• Annual surveillance workshop 2018.  
 
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
2016/2017 expenditure AUD 3.649 million.  
 
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
1 July 2016  
 
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
2016 onwards  
 
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL P RODUCT(S)):  
No specific products   G/AG/N/AUS/116  
 
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  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 18:3 OF THE A GREEMENT:  
NEW OR MODIFIED DOME STIC SUPPORT MEASURE S EXEMPT FROM REDUCT ION  
___________________________________________________________________________  
 
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) program  
 
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
Nil  
 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(d) 
regarding extension and advisory services.  
 
The Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation program (the ATMAC program) is supported 
by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. It was established 
under the accessing premium markets initiative of the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. 
This initiative aims to assist in breaking down technical barriers to trade for Australian agricultural 
exports and secure new and improved access to premium markets.  
 
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
Overall budgeted cost AUD 3.1 million . 
 
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
4 March 2016  
 
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
4 March 2016 to 30 June 2019  
 
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific product.  
 
  G/AG/N/AUS/116  
 
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  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 18:3 OF THE A GREEMENT:  
NEW OR MODIFIED DOME STIC SUPPORT MEASURE S EXEMPT FROM REDUCT ION  
___________________________________________________________________________  
 
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Healthy Soils and Premium Foods  
 
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLATIO N REFERENCE:  
South Australia Natural Resources Management Act 2004  
 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(d) 
regarding exte nsion and advisory services.  
 
The Healthy Soils for Premium Food Program is supported by the Australian Government and 
engages with regional and agricultural industry delivery partners to encourage the adoption of 
improved farming practices, promote the in tegration of sustainable agriculture with the management 
of natural resources, and improve the sustainable management of soil that underpins the production 
of premium food.  
 
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
2016/2017 expenditure AUD 0.069 million.  Overall budgeted cost AUD 0.139 million.  
 
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
1 July 2016  
 
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
1 July 2016 - 30 June 2018  
 
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific products  
  G/AG/N/AUS/116  
 
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  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUP PORT: AUSTRALIA  
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 18:3 OF THE A GREEMENT:  
NEW OR MODIFIED DOME STIC SUPPORT MEASURE S EXEMPT FROM REDUCT ION  
___________________________________________________________________________  
 
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Northern Australia Beef Roads Program  
 
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
National Land Transport Act 2014  
 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(g) 
regarding i nfrastructure services.  
 
The AUD 100 million Northern Australia Beef Roads Program (Beef Roads Program) is supported by 
the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Rural Development and Cities. It forms 
part of the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia, but was announce d during the 2015 
Budget, aims to improve to improve the reliability, productivity and resilience of cattle supply chains 
in northern Australia and thereby reduce freight costs and strengthen links to markets, through 
undertaking targeted upgrades to key r oads necessary for the transportation of cattle.  
 
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
The appropriation for financial year 2016 -17 is AUD 1.7 million.  Overall Program funding from 2016 -
17 to 2019 -20 is AUD 100 million.     
 
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
The Beef Roads Program was announced on 8 May 2015.  
 
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
Funding is available over four years from 2016 -17 to 2019 -2020.  
 
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
Cattle, with benefits to both the broader agriculture ind ustry and other road users.  
 
  
  G/AG/N/AUS/116  
 
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  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 18:3 OF THE A GREEMENT:  
NEW OR MODIFIED DOME STIC SUPPORT MEASURE S EXEMPT FROM REDUCT ION  
_________________________________________________________________ __________  
 
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund (AIJF)  
 
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
The establishment of the AIJF was subject to the successful passage of the Delivering Victorian 
Infrastructure (Port of Melbourne Lease Transaction) Bill 2015. The Bill received Royal Assent on 22 
March 2016.  
 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 2(g) 
regarding infrastructu re services.  
 
The AIJF is supported by the Victorian Government and comprises two funding streams – 
Infrastructure ( AUD175 million) which includes the Major Capital Works program and the Local Roads 
to Market Program; and Program ( AUD25 million). The strea ms are designed to reduce costs to 
farmers, businesses and industries and strengthen sector resilience. Infrastructure stream supports 
investment in enabling economic infrastructure along agriculture supply chains to boost productivity, 
increase exports an d reduce costs to farmers. The Program Stream focuses on improving market 
access and traceability for the sector, supporting agricultural productivity and assisting farm 
businesses to innovate and develop skills for the modern agriculture sector.  
 
(4) COST  OF MEASURE:  
2016–2017 expenditure AUD 75 million.  Overall budgeted cost AUD 200 million.  
 
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
The AIJF was announced by the Victorian Premier on 2 August 2015, but was not officially launched 
until 22 July 2016.  
 
(6) PERIOD OF A PPLICATION:  
July 2016 to June 2019.  
 
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific product.  
 
  
  G/AG/N/AUS/116  
 
- 8 - 
 
  Table DS:2  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: AU STRALIA  
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 18:3 OF THE A GREEMENT:  
NEW OR MODIFIED DOME STIC SUPPORT MEASURES EXEMPT FROM  REDUCTION  
___________________________________________________________________________  
 
(1) FULL TITLE OF ME ASURE:  
Flood Recovery Loan Scheme  
 
(2) DOMESTIC LEGISLA TION REFERENCE:  
No legislation exists, concessional loan scheme for eligible businesses effected by the floods. Loans 
ranged from AUD 25,000 to AUD 200,000.  
 
(3) DETAILED DESCRIP TION OF MEASURE WITH  REFERENCE TO CRITER IA: 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitments  consistent with Annex 2, paragraph 8 
regarding relief from natural disasters.  
 
The Flood Recovery Loan Scheme is supported by the Tasmanian Government and provided financial 
assistance to Tasmanian Primary Producers that are located within flood declared local areas that 
have suffered direct damage as a result of the 2016 floods. Assistance under the scheme was by 
way of a loan to applicants that were in urgent and genuine need of assistance. The loan was 
available for essential working capital and replace ment and repair of damage caused to the property, 
associated improvements and plant and equipment not covered by insurance. Loans ranged from 
AUD 25,000 to AUD 200,000.  
 
(4) COST OF MEASURE:  
2016-2017 expenditure AUD 0.077 million and 2017 -2018 AUD 0.033 million.  
 
(5) DATE OF ENTRY IN TO EFFECT:  
June 2016.  
 
(6) PERIOD OF APPLIC ATION:  
June 2016 – July 2017.  
 
(7) PRODUCTS TO PRIN CIPALLY BENEFIT (IF ANY INDIVIDUAL PRODU CT(S)):  
No specific product.  
 
 
__________