EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Amendment to the List of Specimens Taken to be Suitable for Live Import

in accordance with paragraph 303EC (1) (a)

(Issued under Authority of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage)

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), in general terms, a live specimen is allowed to be imported only if it is included on the list of specimens suitable for live import (live import list).

The list was established in accordance with s.303EB of the EPBC Act and has two parts. 
Part 1 comprises species exempt from the need for an import permit under the EPBC Act. Part 2 comprises species that can be imported with a permit under the EPBC Act. 

Trichosirocalus horridus is a biocontrol agent currently listed on Part 1 of the live import list. In 2002 T. horridus was discovered to be a species complex and was subsequently redescribed as three separate species: T. horridus, T. briesei, and T. mortadelo. Of these three species only T. briesei, and T. mortadelo were assessed as being suitable for import into Australia.

In accordance with section 303EC(1)(c) of the EPBC Act, the effect of this instrument is to correct an inaccuracy to Part 1 of the list by removing T.  horridus, and adding T.  briesei and T. mortadelo.

This instrument is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

The instrument commenced on the day after it was registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.