G/SPS/N/AUS/341  
 
15 July 2014  
(14-4038)  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 
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): General importation of goods into Australia 
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: Examination of the Import Risk Analysis (IRA) process  
Language(s): English  Number of pages: 32 
6. Description of content: The Australian Government has decided to review the current 
IRA process to ensure robust arrangements are in place to minimise the risk of exotic pest and disease incursions in Australia. The review will include stakeholder consultations and, as appropriate, propose changes to administrative and regulatory 
aspects of the IRA process. The Department of Agriculture is now seeking comment on 
specific elements of the IRA process. 
Trading partners are encouraged to read the discussion paper available on the 
department website and are invited to provide submissions at 
http://www.daff.gov.au/iraexamination . 
7. Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [X] animal health, [X] plant protection, 
[X] protect humans from animal/plant pe st or disease, [X] 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)   
 Aquatic Animal Health Code Ch apter 2 Import Risk Analysis  
 Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapter 2 Import Risk Analysis 
[X] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)   
 ISPM 2. Guidelines for pest risk analysis (PRA) 
 ISPM 11. PRA for quarantine pests incl uding analysis of environmental risks 
 ISPM 21. PRA for regulated non-quarantine pests 
[ ] None G/SPS/N/AUS/341 
 
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  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) : Subject to government agreement. 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 11 July 2014 
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [ ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : Final report on the review anticipated September 2014, subject 
to government agreement. 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure  The examination will consult with stakeholder 
groups and as appropriate, propose chan ges to administrative and regulatory 
aspects of the IRA process.  
12. Final date for comments: [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 10 September 2014 
Agency or authority designated to hand le 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 Point 
GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia 
Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678 
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au 
Submissions or specific comments about the discussion paper may be sent to: 
Service Delivery Division 
Biosecurity Regulation and Reform Policy Department of Agriculture 
GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 
E-mail: biosecurityconsultation@agriculture.gov.au 
13. Texts 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 Point  
GPO Box 858 
Canberra ACT 2601 
Australia Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678 
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au