import restrictions on prawns and prawn products revised generic ira for prawns and prawn products in march 2001 thailand on behalf of asean drew attention to australias notifications regarding its risk analysis and interim measure on prawn and prawn products which required risk management measures for white spot syndrome and yellow head virus. prior to the deadline for comments australia had imposed an interim measure on imports of uncooked prawn and prawn products from asean countries which was based on the fact that the imported prawn might illegally be used as fishing bait. asean objected to the inclusion of illegal domestic practices as a major element in risk analysis. thailand urged australia to lift this interim measure which was more restrictive than necessary and inconsistent with article 5. australia explained that the measures were the result of an outbreak of exotic white spot virus disease. investigations had revealed that far more imported prawns were being used for bait than had been previously thought and a 15 g cut-off point was introduced. the additional measures applied only to whole green and unpeeled headless green prawns from areas not free of white spot disease. the risk analysis was progressing and comments would be taken into account. in october 2001 thailand again expressed serious concern about the inclusion of australias domestic enforcement practices as a major element in australias risk analysis. thailand urged australia to lift the interim measures taken on the basis of this risk analysis as asean believed the measures were not based on scientific evidence and were more trade restrictive than necessary. australia believed its measures to be scientifically valid. the risk analysis was continuing and would result in final measures. an application for equivalence for highly processed prawn products was being examined and if approved would result in less trade restrictive measures. in march 2002 thailand sought information regarding the status of australias risk analysis noting that the original date for conclusion of the risk assessment had been june 2001. australia replied that work on the risk analysis was continuing and all stakeholders would be informed of the current status by letter. in response to requests from importers biosecurity australia was conducting an equivalence assessment to determine if there were less trade restrictive alternative measures which could be applied to highly processed prawn products. in june 2002 thailand requested information on the period of application of the interim measure related to white spot syndrome and its scientific basis. malaysia and the philippines expressed interest in this issue. australia replied that a report had been published on progress made including a summary of a meeting with stakeholders. the next meeting of the risk analysis panel considering the issue was scheduled for late july 2002 after which a draft risk analysis report would be issued. the scientific concerns on white spot syndrome which had led to the interim measure remained. australia had completed an equivalence assessment and on 25 june 2002 implemented changes in the requirements for highly processed prawn products. in november 2002 thailand expressed concerns over the continuation of the interim measure imposed by australia and urged australia to complete the risk analysis and abolish the measure as soon as possible. the philippines speaking on behalf of asean supported the concerns expressed by thailand and noted their interest in monitoring the issue. australia reported that the next ste of the australian ira would be the release of a revised draft import risk analysis report. in the meantime the interim measures from june 2002 including the amended conditions would continue. the interim measure was science-based temporary and applied only to a small proportion of prawn exports to australia from thailand and other countries. experts from the aquatic animal biosecurity team had recently visited thailand to work out a c