G/SPS/N/AUS/455  
 
9 August 2018  
(18-5046) 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 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): seed of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) and wild tomato species 
(Solanum c hilense, S. chmielewskii, S. parviflorum, S. peruvianum and S. pimpinellifolium ) 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners  
[ ] Specific regions or countries:  
5. Title of the notified document: Draft pest risk analysis for Pepino mosaic virus  and 
pospiviroids associated with tomato seed (draft report) . Language(s): English.  Number 
of pages: 121 
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk -analysis/plant/pepino -mosaic -virus-
pospiviroids -tomato -seed 
6. Description of content: The draft report presents pest risk assessments for Pepino 
mosaic virus  and five pospiviroid species: Columnea latent viroid , Pepper chat fruit viroid , 
Tomato apical stunt viroid , Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid  and Tomato planta macho viroid , 
but not for Potato spindle tuber viroid , as it is no longer catego rised as a quarantine pest 
for Australia. The pest risk analysis considers imports of seed of tomato ( Solanum 
lycopersicum ) and wild tomato ( Solanum chilense, S. chmielewskii, S. parviflorum, 
S. peruvianum and S. pimpinellifolium ). Information is presented  about tomato seed 
production and trade, the epidemiology of the pathogens and Australian testing of seed 
imports for the pathogens.  
The draft report proposes a range of risk management measures to mitigate the risks 
posed by Pepino mosaic virus  and the po spiviroids associated with imports of tomato seed. 
The proposed measures include mandatory laboratory testing or mandatory laboratory 
testing combined with dry heat treatment. Verification of laboratory testing is also 
proposed to ensure the reliability of  the measures.  
The draft report includes:  
 introduction to Australia's biosecurity policy framework and pest risk assessment 
method;  
 overview of commercial tomato seed production;  
 overview of Pepino mosaic virus  biology, association with tomato seed and 
transmission;  
 overview of pospiviroid biology, association with tomato seed and transmission;  
 pest risk assessments for Pepino mosaic virus  and pospiviroids;  
 statement on situation of Potato spindle tuber viroid;  
 - pest risk management proposals.  G/SPS/N/ AUS/455  
 
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  7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [X]  plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.  
8. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify th e 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] International Plant Protec tion Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
 ISPM N° 1, 2 and 11.  
[ ] 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:   
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : To be determined.  
Proposed date of publica tion (dd/mm/yy) : 8 August 2018  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of publication , and/or  
(dd/mm/yy) : To be determined.  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure  
12. Final date for comments: [  ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 8 October 2018  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  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  
Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678  
Email: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au  
13. Text(s) available from: [X]  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  
Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678  
Email: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au