Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) continue to received extensive feedback from members in relation to document assessment (three to seven days) and lengthy delays (in many instances, several weeks) in inspection booking responses and next available inspection times by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department).

Similar delays are also evident for the issuing of permits.

IMPACTS OF DELAYS

As highlighted in our member notice from 15 August 2022, these delays are resulting in exorbitant container detention fees being paid to shipping lines and high storage charges applied by terminals and depots.
This outcome is particularly alarming as it has occurred during a period that is typically regarded as 'off peak' in the lead up to the Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) seasonal measures commencing 1 September 2022.

REMEDIAL ACTION

At the request of FTA, we are pleased to advise that the department has today released Import Industry Advice Notice 157-2022 providing their perspective on some of the causes of delays and actions industry can take to help facilitate timely release of imported goods.
FTA welcomes the introduction of the listed reforms and has been particularly advocating for the introduction of 14.4 rural tailgates and elimination of some seals intact inspections.
Feedback from departmental executives, and as outlined in the notice, suggest these reforms will significantly increase available inspection resources.

DASHBOARD

In parallel, FTA has been advocating for the development of a 'dashboard' to provide transparency of departmental service levels.
We are pleased to advise that we have had the opportunity to view an Exposure Draft of the 'Weekly Cargo Operations Snapshot' (the Snapshot).
The Snapshot appears to be a very good starting point using available data that can reliably be produced every week.
The department is committed to work with FTA to enhance and extend the material available as more curated data becomes available over time.

MEDIA

In the interim, in order to provide some visibility of the problem, FTA has been providing regular member updates, formal submissions (including to the Productivity Commission review of Australia's Maritime Logistics Systems - recommendation 7) and media commentaries in relation to the ongoing challenges being faced by industry when having cargo assessed or inspected by the department.

Recent media includes:

Daily Cargo News - 'A NEED FOR FAST-TRACK REFORMS IN AUSTRALIAN BIOSECURITY'
ABC Country Hour - 'SHIPPING AND BIOSECURITY DELAYS'
MHD Supply Chain News - 'BIOSECURITY THREATS CAUSING INFLATIONARY PRESSURES'
Ace Radio - 'SHIPPING & BIOSECURITY DELAYS'
The LoadStar - AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN TRADE HOLDING UP - BUT DOMESTIC LOGISTICS A CHALLENGE

HAVE YOUR SAY

In order to support the FTA / APSA advocacy for further Biosecurity reform, we encourage members to "have your say" by providing a submission to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee via their Online Portal or via email to rrat.sen@aph.gov.au.
Responses are required by 5.30pm AEST tomorrow, Friday 26 August 2022 - further detail including the committee's terms of reference are available HERE.

Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF

Biosecurity priorities and impact for cargo clearance delays