(1) Does the European Union prohibit the export of ruminant livestock from Australia; if so, when was this prohibition applied.

(2) Has the European Union recently moved to regularise third-country trade in live animals.

(3) Has a draft amendment to Council Decision 79/542/EEC been prepared.

(4) When did the Minister become aware the draft amendment was in preparation.

(5) Would the application of this amendment further restrict live animal exports from Australia to member countries of the European Union.

(6) Has the amendment been agreed to by the European Union; if so, when was it agreed to; if not, when is it likely to be agreed to.

(7) Has the Minister sought advice on the impact on Australian exporters of the application of this amendment; if so, what is the likely impact, including affected breeds, export volume, export value and number of affected producers and exporters.

(8) Has the Minister made representations to the Commission of European Communities, or individual member countries of the European Union, about this matter; if so: (a) when were these representations made; and (b) what form did they take.

(9) Has the Minister received any representations from Australian producers and/or exporters about this matter; if so: (a) when were those representations received; and (b) what form did they take.

(1) Yes. The European Union (EU) prohibits the importation of cattle, sheep and goats from Australia. This stems from a Council Directive in 1972. Currently the United Kingdom (UK) permits the entry of alpacas from Tasmania.

(2) Yes.

(3) Yes.

(4) There was no prior advice of the proposal. The European Commission's (EC) notification to the SPS Contact Point was dated 3 March 2003.

(5) All ruminants from Australia, except alpacas to the UK, are currently prohibited from import into the EU. We expect application of this amendment will close off the small but high value trade in alpacas.

(6) No. The EC's SPS notification advises the proposed date of adoption is May 2003 with the proposed date of application 30 days after adoption with a transitional period of 60 days for the existing certificates.

(7) The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is consulting with industry and other relevant Departments.

(8) As the Government's contact point for SPS notifications, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry will respond to the EC SPS notification within the 60 day consultation period.. For many years the Government has been making representations to the European Commission and Member States on the ruminant import ban, specifically the Commission's failure to recognise Australia's zoning of bluetongue. These representations will continue.

(9) No.