Welcome to the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Biosecurity Report, your one-stop update on the latest operational issues and notices issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). This report is designed to keep you informed and prepared to manage biosecurity compliance effectively in an ever-changing landscape.
This Week's Summary
Here are the key developments for this week: - Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in Germany: As outlined in Import Industry Advice Notice (IIAN) 06-2025, DAFF announced that Germany has been removed from Australia's Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)-free country list. This follows an outbreak reported on 10 January 2025 and applies immediate biosecurity controls and assessments on goods imported from FMD-susceptible species from Germany to Australia since 14 November 2024.
- FTA has since engaged with DAFF regarding member concerns with key issues since raised including challenges with suitable quarantine-approved premises (QAP) for inspections of dairy shipments and uncertainty regarding future import pathways. DAFF confirmed they are working closely with their colleagues in the Animal & Biological Import Branch (ABIB) Food Biosecurity team and, due to the dynamic nature of the situation, they are actively providing latest guidance to frontline officers.
- Class 14.4 Approved Arrangement – New lodgement capability under the approved arrangement class 19.1 and removal of interim process: DAFF has updated the Approved Arrangement Class 14.4 for rural tailgate inspections, automating the self-direction of eligible sea freight containers under AA Class 19.1 and removing the interim lodgement process. These changes expand the scope of containers eligible for inspection by Biosecurity Industry Participants (BIPs) and streamline processes, with updated guidance materials now available to support compliance. Refer to IIAN 14-2025 for further details.
- Application of fees for post-inspection in-office imported food sample management activities: DAFF announced that from 3 February 2025, fees will apply for in-office post-inspection management of imported food samples under the Imported Food Control Act 1992. These fees, set at $39 per 15 minutes, aim to meet legislative cost recovery obligations and offer industry alternatives such as participating in a sample management trial or entering into a Food Import Compliance Agreement (FICA) to avoid the charges. Refer to IIAN 16-2025 for further details.
- Class 1.1. and 1.3 Approved Arrangements: DAFF confirmed they will be addressing reforms as a part of their presentation at the upcoming Sec 77G & Approved Arrangements forums in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane - REGISTER NOW
Cargo Operations Snapshot
It is recommended that members note the Data Definitions on page 3 when viewing the following report provided by DAFF.
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Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC)
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) brings together DAFF and industry representatives to address biosecurity issues impacting trade and logistics with the purpose to ensure effective biosecurity regulation without unnecessary trade barriers. FTA proudly represents the freight and trade sector on this vital committee.
Following are the latest DCCC Meeting minutes, communiques and papers:
Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG)
On 1 July 2020, Freight & Trade Alliance established the Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG) designed to provide a One Voice platform for treatment providers to engage with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to deliver nationally consistent advocacy position(s) to government to lead reform and implement best practice. You can read our terms of reference HERE.
If you would like more information, please contact John Park. The value of the group has been acknowledged by DAFF as can be seen HERE.
Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS):
AFAS is a bilateral arrangement between DAFF and participating overseas government agencies. AFAS manages the high biosecurity risk posed by ineffective treatments performed offshore.
Treatment providers registered and listed as approved is available on the List of treatment providers.
- Recent Suspensions:
- No suspensions have been announced by DAFF this past week.
Notices
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