EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Instrument under section 303EC(1)(c)

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

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, a live specimen is allowed to be imported only if it is included on the List of Specimens Taken to be Suitable for Live Import (live import list).

The list was established in accordance with s.303EB of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and has two Parts. Part 1 comprises species exempt from the requirement for an import permit under the Act. Part 2 comprises species that require an import permit under the Act. 

In accordance with s. 303EC(1)(c) of the EPBC Act, the effect of this instrument is to update the scientific names of various freshwater fish species on Part 1 of the list.

Recent changes to the taxonomy and nomenclature of many fish species caused changes to the scientific names of a number of species that are included on the live import list. As a result of this process the previously listed scientific names of these fish species are no longer accepted as the valid names. The effect of this instrument is to correct the live import listings to reflect the currently accepted scientific names. There is no change in the range of species that are permitted for import, even though in some cases a single genus-level listing has been replaced by numerous species-level listings.

No consultation was undertaken on this amendment, as it is not required under the EPBC Act for correcting inaccuracies or updating the name of a species. The amendments are not considered to reflect a change in the range of species permitted for import. There should be no impact on the trade in ornamental fish into Australia.

This instrument is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. It will take effect on the day after registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.