. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SPS/N/AUS/278 
4 November 2011 
 (11-5630) 
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 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item numbe r(s) as specified in national schedules 
deposited with the WTO;  ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where 
applicable):  Cattle, sheep, goat and deer semen and embryos from member States of the 
European Union, and cattle semen and embryos from Switzerland and Norway 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries:  European Union, Norway, Switzerland  
5. Title of the notified document:  Final policy review of the bluetongue virus risks 
associated with the importation of cattle, sheep , goat and deer semen and embryos from the 
European Union and cattle semen and embryos from Switzerland and Norway 
Language(s):  English  Number of pages:  144 
6. Description of content:  A detailed review of Australia's bluetongue policy by the 
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and For estry concluded that measures are required to 
manage risks associated with bluetongue viru s serotype 8 (BTV8) circulating in Europe. 
Australia introduced interim measures in 2008, and these will continue, with minor 
modifications. 
BTV8 emerged in Northern Europe in 200 6.  BTV8 causes disease in cattle and other 
ruminants, and its epidemiology differs from other strains of bluetongue.  Additionally, 
BTV8 spread widely within Europe in 2007  and 2008 and European research has shown 
that, apart from vector involvem ent in the spread of BTV8, BT V8 is transferred through a 
maternal or trans-placental route. 
BTV8 is not present in Australia.  The strains of bluetongue virus circulating in Australia 
do not cause disease in cattle.  Their distribution, along with the distribution of vectors, is routinely monitored by Australian Government authorities.  
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/278 
Page 2  
 
  8. Is there a relevant international stan dard?  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)  OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2011 
Article 8.3.2. Australia requires testing of bovine embryo donors for BTV. Tests 
must be capable of detecting all serotypes of BTV, including BTV8.  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)    
[ ] 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:   
As per 5 above.   
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) :  3 November 2011 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) :  3 November 2011 
11. Proposed date of entry into force:  [ ] Six months from date of publication , and/or  
(dd/mm/yy) :  Approximately 21 November 2011 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments:  [X] Sixty days  from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) :  3 January 2012.  An opportunity to comment on a draft 
policy review was provided in June 2010.  The final policy review takes into account 
submissions received from stakeholders at that time. 
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:    
13. Texts available from:  [X] 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 address,  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    
E-mail:  sps.contact@daff.gov.au