. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/Notif.99.275
14 June 1999
(99-2381)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   AUSTRALIA
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):           
2. Agency responsible:   Australia New Zealand Food Authority
Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be
indicated if different from above:           
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ X], 2.10.1 [    ], 5.6.2 [    ], 5.7.1 [    ], other:           
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):   Foods produced using
gene technology
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:   Foods Produced
Using Gene Technology - Update #5 - May 1999 (9 pages)
6. Description of content:   Provides progress on Standard A18 - Food Produced using Gene
Technology, which comes into effect on 13 May 1999.  The notified document advises (1)
the Government decision to consider furthe r extending the labelling requirements for GM
foods;  (2) the decision to allow GM foods to remain on the market after 13 May 1999,
subject to certain criteria;  and (3) details current applications made to the Authority forapproval of GM foods and for which safety assessments will now be conducted using the
guidelines referred to in Section 8 below.
7. Objective and rationale, including the na ture of urgent problems where applicable:
Consumer Health and Safety
8. Relevant documents:   Information Paper Assessment for foods and food ingredients to be
included in Standard A18 - Food Produced using Gene Technology (29 pages)
9. Proposed date of adoption:
Proposed date of entry into force: }Standard A18 comes into force on 13 May1999:  however other matters detailed in the
notified document are subject to further
consideration
10. Final date for comments:   Not applicable - advice only.  Comments from Members were
previously invited vide G/TBT/Notif.99.134 (24 March 1999)G/TBT/Notif.99.275
Page 2
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [     ] or address, e-mail and telefax
number of the other body:   Australia New Zealand Food Authority quoting Proposal P97 -
Update Document:
Australia New Zealand Food Authority
PO Box 7186
Canberra Mail Centre ACT 2610
AUSTRALIA
Fax: +61 6 271.22.78
Email: slo@anzfa.gov.au.