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(…) Australia's last WTO notification on GMO/biotechnology matters was submitted in 2007 as all GM foods approved regulations since then have been considered consistent with international standards and not having a significant effect on trade. Therefore, Australia did not consider it necessary to notify these regulatory changes to GM foods. For the same reason, Australia has not generally notified approvals of enzymes and other processing aids, additives or other minor changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code which they consider to be equivalent to the approval of a GM commodity. (...)

No changes were brought to GM-related labelling requirements. Since 2001 GM foods, ingredients, additives, or processing aids that contain novel DNA or protein must be labelled with the words "genetically modified". GM foods that do not contain any novel DNA or protein or do not have altered characteristics do not require labelling. Flavours containing novel DNA or protein in a concentration of no more than 0.1% are also exempt from labelling. Labelling is also not required when there is no more than 1% (per ingredient) of an approved GM food unintentionally present as an ingredient or processing aid in a non-GM food.

(…) When conducting procurement above certain thresholds, all agencies are required to follow mandatory procurement procedures (i.e. CPR Division 2 – Additional rules for procurements at or above the relevant procurement threshold) , which provide for open, prequalified, and limited tendering. However, procurement of, inter alia, accommodation, R&D services, and motor vehicles [107] is exempt from mandatory procurement procedures. (...)

[107] As at 31 May 2014, there were 6,522 passenger vehicles in the Government fleet of which 74% were Australian-made. As at 30 June 2013, there were 7,046 passenger vehicles in the Government fleet of which 64.1% were Australian-made, 25.6% were imported by an Australian manufacturer, and the rest (10.3%) imported by a non-Australian manufacturer. At the time of the previous Review, the Government's Green Car Challenge plan stipulated that by 2020, 50% of the Government fleet passenger vehicles would be Australian made "value-for-money environmentally friendly" cars; this policy is no longer in place (section 4.4.1) (Department of Finance online information. Viewed at: http://www.finance.gov.au/procurement/previous_news.html; WTO document WT/TPR/S/244/Rev.1, 18 May 2011; Department of Finance, 2012; and Department of Finance online information. Viewed at: http://www.finance.gov.au/vehicle-leasing-and-fleet-management/FleetStatistics.html and http://www.finance.gov.au/procurement/procurement-policy-and-guidance/commonwealth-procurement-rules/

(…) Export controls on wood and woodchips are for the purpose of protecting environmental and heritage values. (…)

Table 3.6 Excise rates, 2011 and 2014 ($A)
Commodity: Biodiesel
Rates applying from 1 February 2011: 0.38143a
Current rates February 2014: 0.38143
(…)

Australia's latest notification to the WTO Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (September 2013) listed 30 federal programmes in support of environmental protection, forestry, innovation, PMV, TCF, steel, and workforce training activities, as well as 38 programmes at state and territory level (Table A3.2). (...) [161]

[161] In addition to WTO-notified subsidies, the Department of Industry has some other programmes (...) The following programmes were or about to expire/close: (...) Re-tooling for Climate Change (in November 2010); the Green Building Fund (GBF) (in March 2011); (...) the Renewable Energy Equity Fund (REEF) (date unknown). (...)

Table A3. 2 Subsidies notified under WTO provisions, 2011/12 and 2012/13
($A)
FEDERAL PROGRAMMES
Environment
- Clean Technology Investment Program (CTIP): Type of subsidy: Grants; Duration: 16 February 2012 to 30 June 2019
- Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program (CTFFIP): Type of subsidy: Grants; Duration: 16 February 2012 to 30 June 2018
- Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program (SRWUIP)

Innovation
- Clean Technology Innovation Program: Type of subsidy: Grants; Duration: 6 July 2012 to 22 October 2013; 2011/12: n.a.; 2012/23: 2,200,000

Passenger motor vehicles
- Ford Australia Environmental Grant: Type of subsidy: Grants; Duration: 30 March 2012 to 31 May 2015; 2011/12: ..a; 2012/13: ..a
- Green Car Innovation Fund (GCIF); Type of subsidy: Grants; Duration: 2009/10 to January 2011; 2011/12: 125,000,000; 2012/13: 47,500,000

South Australia
- Business Sustainability Alliance – Energy Efficiency Program: Type of subsidy: Grants; Duration: Completed in June 2013
- Cleantech Partnering Program:Type of subsidy: Grants; Duration: Completed on 30 June 2013

Victoria
- Beyond Waste Fund: Type of subsidy: Grants; Duration: Was to conclude in September 2014; 2012/13: 649,398
- Driving Investment for New Recycling: Type of subsidy: Grants; Duration: Until June 2015; 2011/12: 262,820; 2012/13: 734,268

Under the Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR) Act 1994, last amended in 2012 (section 3.4.6), unauthorized use of protected plant varieties, and different kinds of false representation regarding plant varieties, are criminal offences. PBRs' registration lasts up to 25 years for trees and vines, and 20 years for other species. The changes introduced by the 2012 Act included amending a number of definitions in the PBR to ensure their consistency with the UPOV Convention (International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants). Enforcement of PBRs is generally the responsibility of holders of the rights through civil procedures, and the Customs has no seizure powers at the border (section 3.4.6.4). Between 2009 and 2012 PBR registrations dropped progressively by 48.9% to 144 (81 of which were from domestic breeders), primarily due to the long-term consequences of drought and natural disasters affecting both domestic and non resident applicants. In 2013, PBR registrations tracked back towards normal/average levels (237) with 123 registrations by domestic applicants. The United States, New Zealand and the Netherlands are the most active applicants and together comprised 69% of non-resident applications and registrations in 2013.

During the review period, the "Sustainable Agriculture Stream", a sub-programme within the overall Australia's Caring for our Country 2013-18 initiative, has been focused on ensuring a sustainable, productive and resilient agricultural base involving: sustainable food production; innovation in agriculture and fisheries practices; reduced impact of weeds and pests; and improved management of agriculture and fisheries and the natural resource base.[13] The Sustainable Agriculture Stream is being delivered in the context of other major government policies and initiatives, including: the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (sections 3.2.7.2.2 and 4.2.2.1); the Carbon Farming Initiative, drought policy reform (section 4.2.2.2); and the Commonwealth Policy on Fisheries By-Catch (section 4.2.3). (...)

[13] Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Environment online information. Viewed at: http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/agriculture/index.html.

(…) In 2011/12, forestry, logging, horticulture, fruit-growing, aquaculture and fishing (section 4.2.3) were among the primary production activities benefiting from the highest effective rates of (combined) assistance.[28] (…)

[28] Assistance to forestry and logging has increased reflecting, inter alia, new structural adjustment packages for the Tasmanian forest industry (Productivity Commission, 2013d, Table 2.7).