G/SPS/N/AUS/315  
 
7 February 2013  
(13-0619)  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;  ICS numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable):  Products of animal origin 
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:  Gamma irradiation as a treatment to address 
pathogens of animal biosecurity concern - Draft review  Language(s):  English   
Number of pages:  102 
6. Description of content:  DAFF has issued a draft review of gamma irradiation as a 
treatment to address pathogens of animal biosecurity concern for a 60-day consultation 
period. 
DAFF uses a range of biosecurity treatments for products of animal origin. Gamma 
irradiation is an alternative risk management measure that has been offered for many 
years for certain products of animal origin that do not meet Australia's import 
requirements or where the importer is unable to provide DAFF with sufficient information to complete a risk assessment. The current dose of 50 kGy has been in place for almost 
20 years as an option to address Australian animal biosecurity concerns. 
The main objective of the review was to re view and, where appropriate, recommend a 
more flexible approach to levels of gamma radiation needed to inactivate specific bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens, and para sites of biosecurity concern in products of 
animal origin. It does not specifically deal with irradiation treatment to address human 
health or food safety concerns unless there co uld be a negative effect on animal health. 
This review will enable DAFF to take a more flexible approach to the radiation dose used 
and may allow the use of lower levels of radiation that still protect Australia's favourable 
animal health status in cases where the pathogens of concern are known. 
DAFF intends to release a final review following assessment of submissions received in 
response to release of the draft review. 
7. Objective and rationale:  [ ] food safety, [X] animal health, [ ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.    G/SPS/N/AUS/315 
 
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  8. Is there a relevant international st andard?  If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or seri al number of Codex 
standard or related text)   
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number)    
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)    
[X] None 
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
 [ ] 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) :  To be advised. 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) :  30 January 2013 
11. Proposed date of entry into force:  [ ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) :  DAFF intends to release a final review following assessment of 
submissions received in response to release of the draft review.   
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments:  [ ] Sixty days  from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) :  30 March 2013 
Agency or authority designated to handle  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 Notification 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/ira/current-animal/gamma-irradiation-review/ba201304-
gamma-irradiation-draft-review " 
The Australian SPS Notification Point 
GPO Box 858 
Canberra  ACT  2601 
Australia Fax:  +(61 2) 6272 3678 
E-mail:  sps.contact@daff.gov.au