Notice - Notification of WTO Members: Proposal P1055 - Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques – 2nd Call for Submissions and Supporting documents.


WTO code G/SPS/N/AUS/592
Date notice 29/07/2024
Notice type Regular
Title Proposal P1055 - Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques – 2nd Call for Submissions and Supporting documents.
Summary

Proposal P1055 proposes to amend the definitions for 'food produced using gene technology' and 'gene technology' in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to ensure it is clear what foods are genetically modified (GM) for Code purposes, while also ensuring that foods are regulated according to the risk they pose.

FSANZ has prepared a draft variation to the Code, which extends across six food standards and four schedules. Key aspects include:

• Repealing the existing definitions for 'food produced using gene technology' and 'gene technology' and replacing them with a new definition for 'genetically modified food' based around the presence of novel DNA in the organism from which the food is derived;

• Explicit exclusions from the GM food definition for substances added to food, substances used in cell culture media for the production of cell-cultured food, and food from null segregant organisms and grafted plants;

• New definitions for 'novel DNA', 'novel protein' and 'null segregant'.

The primary objective of the Proposal is to ensure clarity on which foods are GM foods for Code purposes, while also accommodating new and emerging technologies for genetic modification and changes in the international regulatory context.

The proposed amendments would provide a clear definition for GM food for enforcement purposes and reduce uncertainty about which foods require pre-market assessment as GM foods, while continuing to protect public health and safety.

No transition period is proposed. The proposed variations to the six Standards and four Schedules are:

• unlikely to have any impact on products currently on the market; or

• are deregulatory in nature and provide exemptions to current requirements for products on the market.

The standard 12 month stock in trade provisions in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code will apply.

We are notifying other aspects of these measures under the Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement. 

Product Genetically modified food and food derived from new breeding techniques (NBTs)
Country Australia

File attach:
NAUS592.pdf

Orther Notice:


G/SPS/N/JPN/1292/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/USA/3519 - Receipt of Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities (February-May 2025).
G/SPS/N/VNM/167/Add.1 - Draft Decree amending Decree No 15/2018/NĐ-CP dated 2 February 2018, of Government
G/SPS/N/BRA/2407/Add.1 - Draft Resolution number 1329, 25 April 2025
G/SPS/N/MDA/30 - Order of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry No. 34/2025 on the approval of the list of active substances.
G/SPS/N/MDA/31 - Order of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry No. 56/2025 on the approval of the list of unacceptable co-formulants at the European Union level to be included in a plant protection product
G/SPS/N/ARE/297, G/SPS/N/BHR/251 G/SPS/N/KWT/176, G/SPS/N/OMN/146 G/SPS/N/QAT/150, G/SPS/N/SAU/568 G/SPS/N/YEM/91 - General Requirements for Genetically Modified Processed Food and Feed.
G/SPS/N/ARE/298, G/SPS/N/BHR/252, G/SPS/N/KWT/177, G/SPS/N/OMN/147 G/SPS/N/QAT/151, G/SPS/N/SAU/569, G/SPS/N/YEM/92 - General Requirements for Genetically Modified Unprocessed Food and Feed.
G/SPS/N/JPN/1353 - Proposed revision of Ministerial Ordinance on the Specifications and Standards of Feeds and Feed Additives
G/SPS/N/SAU/474/Add.2 - Final draft of Health Certificate for Exporting Feed Products to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ("Animal origin or containing animal protein" and "Plant origin")
G/SPS/N/CAN/1576/Add.1 - Updated Proposal - Ministerial class exemption order for the exceptional importation and sale of certain foods for a special dietary purpose to mitigate a shortage or risk of a shortage
G/SPS/N/JPN/1277/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1278/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1279/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1280/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1281/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1282/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1283/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1284/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1285/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1286/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1287/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1288/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1289/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1290/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1291/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1293/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1297/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1298/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1299/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1300/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1301/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1302/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1304/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1315/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/KGZ/37 - Draft Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission on Amendments to the Common List of Goods Subject to Veterinary Control (Surveillance).
G/SPS/N/BRA/2418 - Draft Resolution 1337, 18 June 2025. Language(s): Portuguese.
G/SPS/N/PHL/532 - Department of Agriculture Memorandum Circular No._, Series of 2025, Updated Import Terms and Conditions (ITC) for the Entry of Dogs and Cats to the Philippines.
G/SPS/N/JPN/1348 - Paraquat: Amendments to the Enforcement Ordinance of the Standards of Feed and Feed Additives (Amendment of an agricultural chemical residue standard).
G/SPS/N/JPN/1349 - Cyfluthrin: Amendments to the Enforcement Ordinance of the Standards of Feed and Feed Additives (Amendment of an agricultural chemical residue standard).
G/SPS/N/JPN/1350 - Deltamethrin and Tralomethrin: Amendments to the Enforcement Ordinance of the Standards of Feed and Feed Additives (Amendment of an agricultural chemical residue standard).
G/SPS/N/JPN/1351 - Fenitrothion: Amendments to the Enforcement Ordinance of the Standards of Feed and Feed Additives (Amendment of an agricultural chemical residue standard).
G/SPS/N/JPN/1352 - Chlorobenzilate: Amendment to the Enforcement Ordinance of the Standards of Feed and Feed Additives (Amendment of an agricultural chemical residue standard).
G/SPS/N/RUS/323 - Draft Decision of the Collegium of the Eurasian Economic Commission on Amendments to the Regulation on Common veterinary (sanitary and veterinary) requirements for goods subject to veterinary control (surveillance); and Draft Decision of the Collegium of the Eurasian Economic Commission on Amendments to the Forms of the Common Veterinary Certificates for the Importation of Controlled Goods from Third Countries into the Customs Territory of the Eurasian Economic Union.
G/SPS/N/RUS/324 - Draft Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission on Amendments to the Common List of Goods Subject to Veterinary Control (Surveillance).
G/SPS/N/CAN/1590/Add.1 - Established Maximum Residue Limit: Pendimethalin
G/SPS/N/CAN/1589/Add.1 - Established Maximum Residue Limit: Ethalfluralin
G/SPS/N/CHN/1282/Add.1 - Measures for the Quarantine Administration of Imported Plant Propagation Materials
G/SPS/N/IDN/156 - Decree of the Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Authority Concerning Kinds of Quarantine Pests and Diseases of Fish, Causative Organisms, Categories, and Carriers.
G/SPS/N/UKR/246 - Draft Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine "On Approval of Amendments to Certain Regulatory Acts of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine".