EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Amendment of the List of Specimens Taken to be Suitable for Live Import
in accordance with section 303EC (1) (a) and (b)
(Issued under Authority of the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities)
Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) a live specimen may only be imported if it is included on the list of specimens suitable for live import (live import list).
The live import list was established in accordance with section 303EB of the EPBC Act and has two parts. Part 1 comprises species exempt from the need for an import permit from the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPAC). Part 2 comprises species that can be imported with a permit from SEWPAC.
Glossolepis incisus (Red rainbowfish) was listed under Part 1 of the live import list in 2005 with a size restriction of 1.5cm and over. It has become apparent that a minimum length of 1.5cm is too small for reliable identification. The effect of this instrument is to amend the size restriction of Glossolepis incisus to a length of 4cm and over, to assist in species identification.
Amendment to the list of specimens suitable for live import can be made either at the request of the Minister or by application. This list amendment request has been made by a member of the aquarium industry, in accordance with section 303EC of the EPBC Act.
In accordance with section 303EC (3) of the EPBC Act, comments were sought from relevant government departments, industry professionals and other appropriate organisations. A limited consultation was undertaken on the basis that this amendment relates to a species already on the live import list, to minimise identification problems. Four comments were received and all comments favoured the proposed amendment.