Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement

SANITARY & PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES

• The integrity of Australia's quarantine regime and our right to protect animal, plant, and human health and life are preserved.
• Decisions about market access on quarantine or food safety grounds continue to be made on the basis of science.
• A framework for discussions on specific products has been established.

Summary

The SPS Chapter covers market access issues affecting quarantine and food safety, consistent with World Trade Organization rules. Two committees have been established:

• an SPS Committee to discuss general matters and enhance the understanding of each Party's SPS measures and associated regulatory processes.
• a Standing Technical Working Group on Animal and Plant Health Measures to focus on quarantine matters relating to trade in specific animal and plant products.

Both countries have reaffirmed that decisions on matters affecting quarantine and food safety will be based on science. The agreement preserves the rights of both countries to protect animal, plant and human health and life in their respective territories. Australia's regulatory systems, risk assessment and policy development processes are not affected, and the AUSFTA does not compromise Australia's quarantine regime.