G/SPS/N/AUS/404  
 
4 November 2016  
(16-6064) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sa nitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member: AUSTRALIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specifi ed in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Foods in general  
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: Proposal to Amend Schedule 20 of the revised 
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (1 November 2016 - Proposed amendment 
(Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Instrument No. 4 (MRL Stand ard) 
Amendment Instrument 2016 (No. 14))) . Language(s): English . Number of pages: 4  
6. Description of content: This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food 
Standards Code to align certain maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various agricult ural 
and veterinary chemicals so that they are consistent with other national regulations 
relating to the safe and effective use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.  
7. Objective and rationale: [X]  food safety, [ ]  animal health, [ ]  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 the standard:  
[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Co dex 
standard or related text) :  
CAC/MRL 1 Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Pesticides 2009  
CAC/MRL 2 Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary Drugs in Food 2009  
CAC/MRL 3 Extraneous Maximum Residue Limits (EMRLs) 2001 and subsequent 
variations to relevant st andards as adopted or revoked by the Commission  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :   
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :   
[ ] None  
Does this propos ed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
[ ] Yes   [X] No  
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard: Certain proposed limits may differ from Codex limits.  G/SPS/N/AUS/404  
 
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  The scientific methodology u sed by Australia to establish MRLs is consistent with 
international best practice. Countries set MRLs according to the good agricultural 
practice (GAP) or good veterinary practice (GVP) applicable to their region. Agricultural 
and veterinary chemical use p atterns differ between different production regions and 
countries as pests, diseases and environmental factors vary. This means that Australian 
MRLs for agricultural and veterinary chemicals in food may differ from Codex standards.  
9. Other relevant docum ents and language(s) in which these are available: 
Australia  New Zealand  Food Standards  Code:  https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/F20
15L00468  (available in English)  
10. Proposed date of a doption (dd/mm/yy) : Adoption anticipated January 2017.  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : Publication anticipated January 2017.  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [ ]  Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : Entry into force antic ipated January 2017.  
[X] Trade facilitating measure The proposal will establish or increase Australian 
MRLs for certain commodity/chemical combinations which should assist in 
facilitation of trade for certain foods.  
12. Final date for comments: [ ]  Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 13 January 2017  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [ ]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address 
(if availabl e) of other body:  
Food Standards Australia New Zealand  
PO Box 5423  
KINGSTON ACT 2604  
Australia  
Fax: +(61 2) 6271 2278  
E-mail: standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au  
13. Text(s)  available from: [ ]  National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
Documents are available from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines 
Authority website:  
http://apvma.gov.au/sites/default/files/gazette/food -standards/gazette_01112016 -
pages12 -15.pdf   
The Australian SPS Notification Point  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678  
E-mail: sps.contact@agricult ure.gov.au