(1) The regulations may prescribe an assessment process that is to be used for the purposes of sections 303FN, 303FO and 303FP to assess the potential impacts on the environment of:
(a) a wildlife trade operation; or
(b) the activities covered by a plan;
where the operation is, or the activities are, likely to have a significant impact on the environment.
(2) If regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) apply to a wildlife trade operation or to a plan, the Minister must not declare:
(a) the operation under subsection 303FN(2); or
(b) the plan under subsection 303FO(2) or 303FP(2);
unless the assessment process prescribed by those regulations has been followed in relation to the assessment of the operation or plan, as the case may be.
(3) Without limiting subsection (1), regulations made for the purposes of that subsection may make provision for:
(a) the application of Part 8 (except sections 82, 83 and 84) and the other provisions of this Act (so far as they relate to that Part) in relation to the assessment process, subject to such modifications as are specified in the regulations; and
(b) exemptions from the assessment process.
(4) In this section:
"wildlife trade operation" has the same meaning as in subsection 303FN(10), but does not include an operation mentioned in paragraph 303FN(10)(d).