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Proposed safeguard measures due to sudden increase in imports of lubricating oils

The National Trade Remedies Authority (ANMCC) has not yet proposed any measure to follow up on the finding of serious injury or threat thereof. It is currently studying the recommendations to be made regarding the appropriate measures to be notified subsequently.

Unforeseen Developments
The sudden, recent, significant and sharp increase in imports of lubricant oils that are the subject of the investigation is due to unforeseen developments, in particular the energy transition of developed countries, including some countries or economic unions that have adopted energy transition policies and strategies since 2015. The aim of this transition is to reduce environmental pollution and promote the use of renewable energy sources, encouraging the use of biodegradable oils known as biolubricants. Consequently, developing countries have become the main destinations for mineral oil lubricants on account of the absence of energy transition policies or delays in their adoption.

Biosecurity Advice 2020-A02: The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has determined that interim import conditions for uncooked prawns imported into Australia are required to manage the risks associated with infection by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) . Once the proposed interim import conditions are implemented, only prawn consignments that are verified to have undergone acceptable deveining, and that meet all other requirements for uncooked prawns, will be released from biosecurity control.

Australia proposes to implement emergency measures to high risk plant products that are hosts of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) to safeguard Australia against the entry, establishment and spread of this pest.
These steps include:
Prohibition of entry of high risk plant products (...)(Phase 1);
Extending phytosanitary certification to include verification of species of Trogoderma for lower risk plant products (...);
(...) Treatment of containers prior to loading of goods and treatment of empty containers.

Details regarding the measures will be outlined in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) on the Australia's Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment website prior to the implementation date.

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) has released a draft review of the risk management of imported psittacine birds for a 60-day comment period. The draft report identifies, and includes the risk assessments for, 7 pests and diseases of biosecurity concerns.
The draft review recommends that:
• Imports be permitted from countries assessed and approved by Australia for this purpose.
• Imported psittacine birds be subject to veterinary inspection, tests and time in quarantine, including at the department's quarantine facility at Mickleham, Victoria.

Review of the biosecurity risks of prawns imported from all countries for human consumption - draft report. The review identified 10 hazards of biosecurity concern for imported prawns. They undertook risk assessments for each and proposed measures to manage the biosecurity risks.

The draft report proposes that prawns continue to be permitted import into Australia, subject to compliance with a range of biosecurity measures.

Draft report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh apple fruit from the Pacific Northwest states of the United States of America. The draft report contains details of pests that are of biosecurity concern to Australia and are potentially associated with the importation of fresh apple fruit from the PNW-USA, the risk assessments for the identified quarantine pests, and the proposed risk management measures to reduce biosecurity risks to an acceptable level.

Biosecurity Advice 2020-A07 Draft update of non-salmonid marine finfish risk species lists for human consumption and baitfish. As set out in the Biosecurity Advice (https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/risk-analysis/memos) stakeholders are asked to comment on the draft update of the non-salmonid marine finfish risk species lists for human consumption and baitfish (risk species lists) .
The department proposes that finfish species identified in the review as susceptible to infection with a disease of concern to Australia, continue to be permitted import into Australia, subject to compliance with the risk management approaches set out in the 1999 non-viable marine finfish IRA and specified in BICON.

Phytosanitary products with approved use for organic agriculture:
(...) Classifies the activity of production of phytosanitary products with approved use for organic agriculture, establishes minimum production parameters and takes other measures.

Draft resolution number 907, 21 August 2020, regarding the active ingredient S17 - Sophora Flavescens of the Monograph List of Active Ingredients for Pesticides, Household Cleaning Products and Wood Preservers (...).

-includes the chard, acerola, watercress, lettuce, witloof chicory, blackberry, olive, chicory, spinach, raspberry, bluberry, strawberry, Brazilian cherry, arugula, and purple mombin cultures with MRL and safety security period "Not determined due to the organic and biodegradable character of the compunds".

The scientific methodology used by Brazil to establish Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) is consistent with international best practice. Countries set MRLs according to the good agricultural practice (GAP) applicable to their region. Agricultural chemical use patterns differ between different production regions and countries as pests, diseases and environmental factors vary. This means that Brazilian MRLs for agricultural chemicals in food may differ from Codex standards.

Proposal to amend Schedule 20 of the revised Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (14 January 2020).
This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align the following maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various agricultural and veterinary chemicals so that they are consistent with other national regulations relating to the safe and effective use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals (...)

The scientific methodology used by Australia to establish Maximum Residue Limits (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 patterns 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.