G/SPS/N/AUS/327  
 
20 August 2013  
(13-4441)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION 
1. Notifying Member: AUSTRALIA 
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and 
Forestry (DAFF) 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item  number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; IC S numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Mouse ( Mus musculus ) embryos for laboratory purposes 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected , to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries: Austria; Belgium; Canada; Czech Republic; 
Denmark; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hong Kong, China (Special 
Administrative Region); Ireland; Israel; Italy; Japan; Luxembourg; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Portugal; Singapore;  Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; United 
Kingdom; United States of America.  
5. Title of the notified document: Document 1: Importation of laboratory mouse 
(Mus musculus ) embryos from approved countries - Policy review of hantavirus 
Document 2: Biosecurity measures for the importation of laboratory mouse  
Language(s): English  Number of pages: 9 and 5 respectively 
http://www.daff.gov.au/ba/memos  
6. Description of content: These documents include a review of available scientific 
information on hantavirus in mouse embryos which concludes that the risk mitigation 
measures required for hantavirus in mouse embryos are no longer necessary. Amended 
biosecurity measures are detailed in the second document. 
7. Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [X] animal health, [ ] plant protection, 
[X] protect humans from animal/plant pe st or disease, [ ] protect territory 
from other damage from pests.   
8. Is there a relevant international st andard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text)   
[X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number)  Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2012); 
Chapter 4.10-Collection and processing  of laboratory rodent and rabbit 
embryos/ova; Chapter 5.2-Certification Procedures; Chapter 5.10-Model 
Veterinary Certificates for International Trade in Live Animals, Hatching Eggs and 
Products of Animal Origin.  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)    G/SPS/N/AUS/327 
 
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  [ ] None 
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
[X] Yes   [ ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
9. Other relevant documents and language (s) in which these are available: Nil   
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 14 August 2013 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 14 August 2013 
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [ ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : 14 August 2013 
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable 
Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:   
13. Texts available from: [ ] National Notifi cation Authority, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:   
Texts are available at the following web addr ess, or alternatively, from the Australian 
SPS Notification Point.  
http://www.daff.gov.au/ba/memos  
The Australian SPS Notification Point 
GPO Box 858 Canberra  ACT  2601 
Australia 
Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678 Email: sps.contact@daff.gov.au