Appendix C — Minor treaty actions

Minor treaty actions are identifiably minor actions, generally technical amendments to existing treaties, which do not impact significantly on the national interest. Minor treaty actions are tabled with a one-page explanatory statement. The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has the discretion to formally inquire into these treaty actions or indicate its acceptance of them without a formal inquiry and report.

The following minor treaty action was considered by the Committee on the date indicated. The Committee determined not to hold a formal inquiry into the treaty and agreed that binding treaty action may be taken.

Minor treaty action tabled on 15 September 2009

Considered by the Committee on 27 October 2009:

n  Amendment to Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (the Convention).

The Amendment to Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention adds tributyltin (TBT) compounds in the pesticide category to the list of chemicals in Annex III to the Convention. Annex III lists those chemicals subject to the Convention’s prior informed consent procedure, which provides for information exchange regarding the import and export of listed chemicals.

At its fourth meeting held on 27–31 October 2008, the Conference of the Parties (COP 4) to the Convention agreed by consensus to list all TBT compounds in Annex III.

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts advises that TBT compounds are hazardous and meet the requirements for listing under Annex III of the Convention. The Department further argues that support for the listing is consistent with Australia’s support for the Convention and that no objections to Australia’s support for listing TBT were raised during the consultation process in preparation for the COP 4. Australia has domestic legislation that controls TBT compounds.[1]

Compliance with the Convention will require minor legislative amendments to include TBT in the list of chemicals referred to in the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Regulations 1995, Schedule 1, and the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958, Schedule 2.