FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 2025/14 - sponsored by Fumigate All Hours

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:

• Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology v3.0 – New record of fumigation and treatment certificate templates now available
  DAFF has released new record of fumigation and treatment certificate templates to support the rollout of Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology version 3.0, effective from 1 May 2025.
  Key documentation changes include updated declarations, required device serial numbers, fumigator initials, and revised client/fumigation address fields. Version 2.0 certificates will be accepted until 30 June 2025, after which compliance with version 3.0 becomes mandatory. Read more HERE. 

• Spike Continues in Offshore Fumigation Suspensions Under AFAS
  The trend of increasing offshore treatment suspensions under the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) has continued this week, with multiple new providers affected across several countries.
  Between 9 and 11 April 2025, two providers in India, two in Singapore, and one in Turkey were either suspended or declared unacceptable by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). This includes formal suspensions of M/s Shiv Sai Pest Control and two additional Indian providers, as well as a Turkish operator, Yukselis Liman Hizmetleri. Meanwhile, Singapore-based Acquarius Fumigation and Inavab Biotech were added to the list of unacceptable treatment providers.
  Members are again reminded to check the status of offshore fumigation providers prior to engagement. This ongoing uptick in suspensions highlights DAFF's intensified enforcement efforts to uphold Australia's stringent biosecurity standards.

• New DAFF Update: Specify Goods Readiness Time in Biosecurity Portal
  DAFF has reminded industry stakeholders—including customs brokers, importers, freight forwarders, and approved arrangement operators—to specify the exact time that goods will be ready for inspection when using the Biosecurity Portal. This ensures efficient resource allocation and accurate booking of inspection slots. If no time is entered, the system defaults to the current local time of the requester, which may not reflect actual availability. Industry is also encouraged to select the 'Next Available' option to help streamline the inspection process for both the department and businesses. Read more HERE.

• Cannabis Re-added to Xylella Host List Following New Evidence
  DAFF has reinstated Xylella testing requirements for imported Cannabis nursery stock after new scientific evidence confirmed the plant as a host for the destructive bacteria Xylella fastidiosa. The change follows a 2024 study showing credible host association, prompting additional post-entry quarantine (PEQ) testing. Import permits will be updated accordingly at no cost to permit holders. This reverses a February 2025 decision that had removed Cannabis from the regulated host list. Read more HERE.

• DAFF Updates Grain Export Inspection Guidelines
  DAFF has issued IAN 2025-17, notifying industry and authorised officers of further updates to the grain and plant product export inspection process. Following feedback on IAN 2025-12, additional refinements include a new attachment outlining acceptable pest and contaminant tolerances, clearer guidance on how to record pest detections (including weed seeds), and clarification around when a 50-tonne rejection applies. Authorised officers must adhere to the updated procedures from the implementation date set in IAN 2025-12. Read more HERE.

• Export Strawberries to Thailand – 2025 Season Applications Now Open
  DAFF has opened applications for farms, packhouses, and treatment facilities in Tasmania and Western Australia (excluding Queensland fruit fly outbreak zones) seeking to export strawberries to Thailand in 2025. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm AEST on 2 May 2025, with crop monitor training completed by 16 May 2025. Only properties meeting strict accreditation requirements and located in approved production areas are eligible.
  Strawberries from Qfly outbreak zones are ineligible for export, and treatment must occur via approved methyl bromide fumigation facilities. Entities may also apply to operate under the Packhouse Grower Supplier Model (PGSM), provided they held accreditation in 2024. Read more HERE.

• DAFF Update: NEXDOC – New Requirement for Client Group Membership
  As of 31 March 2025, NEXDOC administrators can now only add users to a client group if they already have an active NEXDOC user account. If the person being added hasn't registered, an error message will appear, and the process won't proceed.
  To resolve this, the intended member must first register via the Online Services portal. Once the account is approved, the administrator can then successfully add them to the client group.
  This change ensures that all users within a client group are authorised and visible in the NEXDOC system. For more guidance, visit the NEXDOC Help webpage or email NEXDOC@aff.gov.au. 

• FTA 2025 Events Program: 
  FTA event season is underway with two key industry events in 2025 - our 2025/26 FTA CPD Border Compliance Program and the 2025 FTA Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum. The 2025/26 CPD Border Compliance Program will feature expert speakers from government and industry, delivering critical updates on regulatory and operational developments. Sessions will be held in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane, with early bird rates available for members. Additionally, the Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forums will provide essential insights for industry stakeholders, including updates from senior DAFF officials on biosecurity compliance and enforcement. These forums are a must-attend for those managing regulated cargo facilities. REGISTER NOW

Cargo Operations Snapshot

Methyl Bromide v3.0 and Other Biosecurity Treatments

Over the last two years, the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG) has actively engaged with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) providing operational feedback on version 3.0 of the Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology (commencing 1 May 2025).
After already hosting information sessions in Melbourne and Brisbane, DAFF will be presenting these changes and other biosecurity treatment updates at the remaining events in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney:

PERTH 
15 April 2025, 1:00PM-4:00PM AWST - Methyl Bromide and other biosecurity treatment updates – Information Session
Book Tickets

ADELAIDE
16 April 2025, 1:00PM-4:00PM ACST - Methyl Bromide and other biosecurity treatment updates – Information Session
Book Tickets

SYDNEY
17 April 2025, 1:00PM-4:00PM AEST - Methyl Bromide and other biosecurity treatment updates – Information Session
Book Tickets

IMPORTANT NOTE :  these sessions are separate to the FTA hosted Regulated Cargo Facility Forums (77G Depots, Approved Arrangements & RACA Operators) that will examine in more detail DAFF compliance measures and broader operational considerations - program and registration details for the FTA sessions are below.

2025-2026 FTA CPD Border Compliance Program Launch

• Meeting 99 2024 – Communique
• Meeting 99 2024 – FNL Minutes 

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.


As always, we encourage members to share their feedback and insights to help us identify issues and advocate for improvements on your behalf.

Tom Jensen - General Manager Freight Policy & Operations - FTA / APSA

Copyright © 2025 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.